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J73 GEX

1991 Volkswagen California

Green Diesel 2460cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Aug 2026
Tests25 (16 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate64%

Mileage

288,547 mi
Last recorded288,547 miles
Recorded on8 Aug 2025
Typical for 1991 Volkswagen California283,242 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationJ73 GEX
MakeVolkswagen
ModelCalifornia
Year1991
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,460cc

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

16 pass 9 fail
Pass 8 Aug 2025 288,547 miles

Central Front Oil leak, but not excessive Engine oil cooler unit. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 8 Aug 2025 288,547 miles

Central Front Oil leak, but not excessive Engine oil cooler unit. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (4.1.2 (a))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing All. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 21 Aug 2024 287,765 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 6 Aug 2024 287,674 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Oil leaking excessively from engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 14 Aug 2023 281,914 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to caliper (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to caliper (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Fail 10 Aug 2023 281,914 miles

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

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle by more than 50% (1.2.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported front to rear (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to caliper (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material to caliper (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

power steering belt loose

Pass 18 Oct 2021 281,888 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material on caliper (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 4 Oct 2021 281,864 miles

Nearside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Front Lower Steering linkage ball joint ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle by more than 50% (1.2.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material on caliper (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 17 Sep 2020 281,163 miles
Fail 24 Aug 2020 281,153 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 17 Dec 2018 278,620 miles
Pass 25 Sep 2017 278,233 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

Pass 20 Sep 2016 275,851 miles

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

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

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

Pass 26 Aug 2015 261,650 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Fail 17 Aug 2015 271,640 miles

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Pass 15 Aug 2014 268,176 miles

Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 8 Aug 2013 261,917 miles

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Fail 8 Aug 2013 261,917 miles

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Items removed from driver's view prior to test

Pass 13 Aug 2012 254,888 miles

Both rear tyres close to legal limit.

Pass 27 Jul 2011 247,690 miles

Rear exhaust section corroded.

Pass 10 Aug 2010 240,093 miles

Head lights have flat patterns due to beam deflectors fitted

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

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

Rear fog lights different heights

Fail 10 Aug 2009 235,260 miles

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

Pass 10 Aug 2009 235,260 miles
Pass 22 Sep 2008 232,804 miles
Fail 19 Sep 2008 232,804 miles

Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

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

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

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

rear brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2) DANGEROUS

Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

both front tyres are wearing prematurely on the outer shoulder - check alignment

How Reliable is the Volkswagen California?

Based on 80,899 MOT tests across 8,815 vehicles.

84.3%
Pass Rate
5,205
Miles/Year
20
Year Lifespan
8,815
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

coil spring broken 348
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 261
Full Volkswagen California reliability report

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J73 GEX is a 1991 Volkswagen California in Green with a 2,460cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64%.

Across all 1991 Volkswagen California models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.7% with a typical mileage of 283,242 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 Volkswagen California fails its MOT is coil spring broken, accounting for 348 recorded failures. If you're considering buying J73 GEX, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen California typically stays on UK roads for around 20 years. At 35 years old, this Volkswagen California is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of J73 GEX?

You can check the full history of J73 GEX by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J73 GEX registered?

J73 GEX is a 1991 Volkswagen California, first registered on 31 December 1991.

Is J73 GEX safe to buy?

The MOT history for J73 GEX shows 25 tests with a 64% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J73 GEX 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 J73 GEX. 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.