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A20 BYJ

1997 Vauxhall Brava

Yellow Diesel 2499cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Mar 2027
Tests29 (18 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate62.1%

Mileage

166,520 mi
Last recorded166,520 miles
Recorded on14 Mar 2026
Typical for 1997 Vauxhall Brava120,303 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Vauxhall
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA20 BYJ
MakeVauxhall
ModelBrava
Year1997
ColourYellow
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,499cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

18 pass 11 fail
Pass 14 Mar 2026 166,520 miles
Pass 21 Dec 2024 166,258 miles
Pass 10 Jan 2024 164,144 miles

Central Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

General corrosion

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Jan 2023 161,775 miles

Central Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

General body corrosion under vehicle

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front headlamp damaged

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 29 Dec 2022 161,694 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

General body corrosion under vehicle

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front headlamp damaged

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 17 Jan 2022 158,712 miles
Fail 15 Dec 2021 158,630 miles

Exhaust emissions test not completed because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2.2.2 (f))

Exhaust emits clearly visible black smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases bracket broken aswell (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge wearing at outer edges (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front bumper edge deteriorating

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear shock absorber casing both sides deteriorating

fuel pipes corroding

Pass 13 Jan 2021 153,610 miles

Front brake pads half -worn

Offside Front sidelight lens , deteriorating

fuel pipes corroding

underside of vehicle corroding

Fail 19 Dec 2020 153,495 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Rear Registration plate inscription illegible VERY DERTY (0.1 (b))

Rear Service brake excessively binding BOTH REAR WHEELS (1.2.1 (f))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

FUEL LINES BADLY CORRODED

OFFSIDE FRONT SIDE LIGHT LENS HOLED

OIL LEAKS FROM BRAKE PUMP ON BACK OF ALTANATOR

Pass 3 Jan 2020 149,961 miles
Fail 14 Dec 2019 149,859 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively PERISHED BOTH BLADES (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Leaf spring shackle pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Leaf spring shackle pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm WORN ON INNER EDGE SIZE 195/14 C (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge WORN ON INNER EDGE (5.2.3 (e))

REQS TRACKING

Pass 4 Jan 2019 145,866 miles

n/s/f tyre wearing bold at inner edge

front linkage bushes deteriorating

front pads wearing thin

fuel pipes corroding

n/s/f upper suspension ball- joint gaitor slightly deteriorating

o/s/f bumper corroding

o/s/f indicator lens broken, but okey

rear brakes slightly binding

rear suspension leaf spring bushes deteriorating

slight oil leak

slight play at steering wheel + system

under side of vehicle corroding

Fail 24 Dec 2018 145,839 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill panel (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded two pipes (beside the tank) (1.1.11 (c))

front linkage bushes deteriorating

front pads wearing thin

fuel pipes corroding

n/s/f tyre wearing bold at inner edge

n/s/f upper suspension ball- joint gaitor slightly deteriorating

o/s/f bumper corroding

o/s/f indicator lens broken, but okey

rear brakes slightly binding

rear suspension leaf spring bushes deteriorating

slight oil leak

slight play at steering wheel + system

under side of vehicle corroding

Pass 23 Dec 2017 125,929 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases after flex pipe (7.1.2)

Fail 23 Dec 2017 125,929 miles

Front Headlamp aim not tested (1.8.A.1c)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases after flex pipe (7.1.2)

Pass 7 Jan 2017 132,003 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit wearing at inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

brake pipes corroding

oil leak

Fail 4 Jan 2017 131,974 miles

Nearside Rear Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp insecure broken (1.3.2a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit wearing at inner edge (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

brake pipes corroding

oil leak

Pass 5 Jan 2016 123,740 miles
Fail 15 Dec 2015 123,431 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red (1.3.2e)

Pass 7 Jan 2015 118,810 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

fuel pipes rusty

front shockabsorbers worn out and not working

Pass 8 Jan 2014 111,916 miles

Nearside Rear Leaf spring has slight wear in a shackle pin and/or bush (2.4.B.2)

Offside Rear Leaf spring has slight wear in a shackle pin and/or bush (2.4.B.2)

Fail 3 Jan 2014 11,825 miles

Front Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Offside Stop lamp emits other than a steady red light (1.2.1e)

Nearside Rear Leaf spring has slight wear in a shackle pin and/or bush (2.4.B.2)

Offside Rear Leaf spring has slight wear in a shackle pin and/or bush (2.4.B.2)

Pass 7 Jan 2013 104,582 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

n/s/rear body rusty

o/s/rear body rusty

Pass 3 Jan 2012 96,698 miles

Nearside Rear Leaf spring has slight wear in a shackle pin and/or bush (2.4.B.2)

Offside Rear Leaf spring has slight wear in a shackle pin and/or bush (2.4.B.2)

Fail 29 Dec 2011 96,682 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside Rear Leaf spring has slight wear in a shackle pin and/or bush (2.4.B.2)

Offside Rear Leaf spring has slight wear in a shackle pin and/or bush (2.4.B.2)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 15 Dec 2010 89,319 miles

Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.5b)

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 8 Dec 2009 82,480 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 16 Dec 2008 72,718 miles
Fail 11 Dec 2008 72,718 miles

Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

How Reliable is the Vauxhall Brava?

Based on 90,327 MOT tests across 11,915 vehicles.

64.8%
Pass Rate
5,344
Miles/Year
35
Year Lifespan
11,915
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 8,298
fog lamp not working 4,179
Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 3,702
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 3,699
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 3,527
Full Vauxhall Brava reliability report

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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

A20 BYJ is a 1997 Vauxhall Brava in Yellow with a 2,499cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.1%.

Across all 1997 Vauxhall Brava models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.0% with a typical mileage of 120,303 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Vauxhall Brava fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 8,298 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A20 BYJ, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Vauxhall Brava typically stays on UK roads for around 35 years. At 29 years old, this Vauxhall Brava is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A20 BYJ?

You can check the full history of A20 BYJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A20 BYJ registered?

A20 BYJ is a 1997 Vauxhall Brava, first registered on 8 July 1997.

Is A20 BYJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for A20 BYJ shows 29 tests with a 62.1% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A20 BYJ have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on A20 BYJ. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.