CarVerify

Free Car Check

N172 HGL

1996 Toyota Surf

Blue Diesel 2980cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 Nov 2026
Tests33 (18 pass, 15 fail)
Pass rate54.5%

Mileage

262,222 mi
Last recorded262,222 miles
Recorded on11 Nov 2025
Typical for 1996 Toyota Surf153,746 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Toyota
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationN172 HGL
MakeToyota
ModelSurf
Year1996
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,980cc

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 15 fail
Pass 11 Nov 2025 262,222 miles
Pass 23 Sep 2024 257,144 miles
Fail 18 Sep 2024 257,144 miles

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting Chassis rail above Panhard rod mount point. (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting Chassis rail above rear arm mounting point. (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting Body mount. (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Pass 10 Oct 2023 253,720 miles
Fail 29 Sep 2023 253,666 miles

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

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

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

Pass 14 Sep 2022 253,329 miles
Fail 14 Sep 2022 253,319 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

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

Pass 10 Sep 2021 249,844 miles

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

vehicle undersealed

vehicle underside slight corrosion including suspension components

Fail 2 Sep 2021 249,809 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength x2 (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Power steering component has slight seepage from a component (2.1.5 (a))

vehicle undersealed

vehicle underside slight corrosion including suspension components

Pass 1 Sep 2020 245,066 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced general corrosion too rear (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 26 Aug 2020 245,065 miles

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced general corrosion too rear (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 24 May 2019 239,800 miles

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

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

Fail 12 Apr 2019 239,800 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength upper spring area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced rear chassis too component support corrossion (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Rear chassis too component support (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Rear fog lamp likely to become detached (4.5.1 (c) (ii))

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

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 19 Apr 2018 229,743 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Fail 13 Apr 2018 229,742 miles

Central Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded inner door step/sill (5.2.6)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Inner Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Front registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Nearside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Drag link end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear Inner Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Pass 7 Apr 2017 218,695 miles

Fuel pipe slightly damaged corroding (7.2.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Fail 28 Mar 2017 218,695 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Fuel pipe slightly damaged corroding (7.2.2)

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

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 21 Apr 2016 201,136 miles

Fuel pipe slightly damaged corroding (7.2.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Fail 5 Apr 2016 201,136 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush linkage snapped (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Fuel pipe slightly damaged rear filler corroding (7.2.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Pass 13 Apr 2015 188,458 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

fuel filler pipes corroded

offside rear brake grabbing slightly

Pass 22 Apr 2014 181,235 miles

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Lower Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

The offside handbrake cable has slightly restricted movement

Pass 3 May 2013 168,995 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Fail 22 Apr 2013 168,994 miles

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

Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)

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

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 23 May 2012 158,025 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Fail 4 Apr 2012 158,020 miles

Nearside Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Inner Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Front suspension has slight movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Pass 8 Apr 2011 146,998 miles

Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 5 Apr 2011 146,990 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 6 Apr 2010 134,628 miles

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 6 Apr 2010 134,628 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2009 113,843 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is distorted but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Fail 14 Apr 2009 113,697 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is distorted but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Nearside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Pass 16 Apr 2008 97,504 miles

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod attachment bracket/mounting damaged but its strength is not seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

Fail 7 Mar 2008 97,382 miles

Front registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Fuel hose leaking (7.2.3)

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

Offside Steering rack insecure (2.2.B.1a)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Rear registration plate missing (6.3.1a)

Nearside Rear Tie bar/rod attachment bracket/mounting damaged but its strength is not seriously reduced (2.4.G.1)

both front inner c/v boots split

How Reliable is the Toyota Surf?

Based on 29,036 MOT tests across 2,374 vehicles.

70.5%
Pass Rate
6,817
Miles/Year
35
Year Lifespan
2,374
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

fog lamp not working 1,393
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 1,004
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 715
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 673
position lamp(s) not working 578
Full Toyota Surf reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

N172 HGL is a 1996 Toyota Surf in Blue with a 2,980cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 54.5%.

Across all 1996 Toyota Surf models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.2% with a typical mileage of 153,746 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 Toyota Surf fails its MOT is fog lamp not working, accounting for 1,393 recorded failures. If you're considering buying N172 HGL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Toyota Surf typically stays on UK roads for around 35 years. At 30 years old, this Toyota Surf is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of N172 HGL?

You can check the full history of N172 HGL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N172 HGL registered?

N172 HGL is a 1996 Toyota Surf, first registered on 31 December 1996.

Is N172 HGL safe to buy?

The MOT history for N172 HGL shows 33 tests with a 54.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N172 HGL 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 N172 HGL. 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.