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DRU 398L

1973 Ford Cortina

Red Petrol 1600cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Nov 2026
Tests15 (12 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate80%

Mileage

52,626 mi
Last recorded52,626 miles
Recorded on20 Nov 2025
Typical for 1973 Ford Cortina47,728 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationDRU 398L
MakeFord
ModelCortina
Year1973
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,600cc

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

12 pass 3 fail
Pass 20 Nov 2025 52,626 miles
Fail 6 Oct 2025 52,600 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 4 Oct 2017 51,691 miles
Pass 28 Sep 2016 51,534 miles
Pass 8 Oct 2015 51,305 miles
Pass 29 Sep 2014 50,973 miles
Pass 1 Oct 2013 50,608 miles

Rear tyres perishing

Pass 27 Sep 2012 50,171 miles
Pass 12 Sep 2011 49,623 miles
Pass 21 Sep 2010 48,888 miles

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Pass 24 Sep 2009 48,148 miles

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Steering column universal joint has slight play (2.1.5)

Pass 25 Sep 2008 46,939 miles
Fail 8 Jun 2007 46,916 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

some movement in offside and nearside front wheels

some movement in steering rack

Pass 27 May 2006 46,231 miles
Fail 31 Mar 2006 46,194 miles

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

How Reliable is the Ford Cortina?

Based on 56,538 MOT tests across 7,991 vehicles.

79.5%
Pass Rate
409
Miles/Year
63
Year Lifespan
7,991
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 2,806
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,355
brake binding 1,352
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 1,210
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 1,173
Full Ford Cortina reliability report

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DRU 398L is a 1973 Ford Cortina in Red with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 15 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80%.

Across all 1973 Ford Cortina models, the average MOT pass rate is 78.2% with a typical mileage of 47,728 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Ford Cortina fails its MOT is suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 2,806 recorded failures. If you're considering buying DRU 398L, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Ford Cortina typically stays on UK roads for around 63 years. At 53 years old, this Ford Cortina is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of DRU 398L?

You can check the full history of DRU 398L by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was DRU 398L registered?

DRU 398L is a 1973 Ford Cortina, first registered on 16 February 1973.

Is DRU 398L safe to buy?

The MOT history for DRU 398L shows 15 tests with a 80% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does DRU 398L 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 DRU 398L. 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.