CarVerify

Free Car Check

N401 RDL

1996 Ford Freda

Green Diesel 2498cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 May 2027
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

208,892 mi
Last recorded208,892 miles
Recorded on30 Apr 2026
Typical for 1996 Ford Freda132,811 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Ford
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

RegistrationN401 RDL
MakeFord
ModelFreda
Year1996
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,498cc

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

19 pass 11 fail
Pass 30 Apr 2026 208,892 miles
Fail 29 Apr 2026 208,883 miles

Offside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover insecure so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Outer Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 9 May 2025 205,201 miles

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

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

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Fail 25 Mar 2025 205,171 miles

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

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner wheel arch (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt webbing slightly damaged or frayed (7.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened + sills and arches (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 30 May 2023 203,912 miles
Pass 22 Jun 2022 202,947 miles
Pass 31 Mar 2021 202,834 miles

Offside reversing lamp not working

Fail 30 Mar 2021 202,832 miles

Main beam tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

Rear fog lamp tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Offside reversing lamp not working

Pass 17 Jan 2020 202,416 miles

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Offside Rear axle seal slightly weeping oil

aux belt poor, adj pully not turning

both outer and under lower sill rusty

Fail 15 Jan 2020 202,237 miles

Battery insecure and likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Steering locking device missing both split pins missing on track rod ends (2.1.3 (d))

Offside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened (7.1.2 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour but not likely to obscure the vision of other road users (8.2.2.2 (c))

Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output both (4.1.4 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Offside Rear axle seal slightly weeping oil

aux belt poor, adj pully not turning

both outer and under lower sill rusty

Pass 5 Feb 2019 199,375 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fuel pump damp.

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Both faded. (4.1.4 (b))

Inner Both sills rusty (o/s holed.)

Nearside Front Tyre perishing.

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear 1/2 shaft seals starting to leak.

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Outer both sills rusty.

Fail 29 Jan 2019 199,370 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases Joint. (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Power steering component leaking Steering rack. (2.1.5 (a))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fuel pump damp.

Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output Both faded. (4.1.4 (b))

Inner Both sills rusty (o/s holed.)

Nearside Front Tyre perishing.

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Rear 1/2 shaft seals starting to leak.

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Outer both sills rusty.

Pass 23 Feb 2018 195,032 miles

Coolant leak ()

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

Fail 20 Feb 2018 195,032 miles

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

Front registration plate insecure (6.3.1b)

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

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Rear fog lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.3.2f)

Coolant leak ()

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

Pass 28 Feb 2017 184,708 miles

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

Offside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 4 Jan 2017 184,663 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2016 179,320 miles

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

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

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

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases back box (7.1.2)

engine wet with oil

Pass 27 Jun 2015 163,130 miles

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

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

both inner sills heavily corroded

Pass 20 Jun 2014 151,646 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 20 Jun 2013 144,072 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

all 4 tyres deteriorating

Pass 29 Jun 2012 137,493 miles
Fail 28 Jun 2012 137,493 miles

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 16 Jun 2010 131,320 miles

o/s/r hub oil seal leaking

Fail 7 Jun 2010 131,057 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

front pads look low

o/s/r hub oil seal leaking

Pass 9 Jun 2009 124,051 miles

front pads low

o/s/r hub oil seal leaking

Fail 4 Jun 2009 124,018 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp insecure (1.3.2a)

Offside Rear fog lamp does not face the rear (1.3.2a)

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a) DANGEROUS

front tyres very close to limit

o/s/r hub oil seal leaking

front tyres bigger than rear

Pass 17 Jun 2008 114,718 miles

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

Fail 16 Jun 2008 114,705 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

advise-major oil leak from offside rear hub seal

advise-roof warning lamp flashing

advise-smaller size tyres fitted on rear axle

Pass 27 Sep 2007 113,671 miles
Fail 19 Sep 2007 113,671 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp missing (1.3.2a)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting fractured (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear brake disc contaminated by oil (3.5.1h) DANGEROUS

How Reliable is the Ford Freda?

Based on 28,175 MOT tests across 1,491 vehicles.

67.2%
Pass Rate
5,107
Miles/Year
31
Year Lifespan
1,491
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

fog lamp not working 879
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 755
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 745
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 686
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 467
Full Ford Freda 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

N401 RDL is a 1996 Ford Freda in Green with a 2,498cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

Across all 1996 Ford Freda models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.3% with a typical mileage of 132,811 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 Ford Freda fails its MOT is fog lamp not working, accounting for 879 recorded failures. If you're considering buying N401 RDL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Ford Freda typically stays on UK roads for around 31 years. At 30 years old, this Ford Freda is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of N401 RDL?

You can check the full history of N401 RDL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N401 RDL registered?

N401 RDL is a 1996 Ford Freda, first registered on 31 December 1996.

Is N401 RDL safe to buy?

The MOT history for N401 RDL shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N401 RDL 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 N401 RDL. 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.