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P397 RAR

1997 Ford Escort

Blue Petrol 1796cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires17 May 2023
Tests29 (15 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate51.7%

Mileage

92,515 mi
Last recorded92,515 miles
Recorded on18 May 2022
Typical for 1997 Ford Escort62,516 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Ford
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP397 RAR
MakeFord
ModelEscort
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,796cc

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

15 pass 14 fail
Pass 18 May 2022 92,515 miles

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

Nearside Outer SILL CORRODED

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

Offside Outer SILL CORRODED

Fail 12 May 2022 92,514 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Outer SILL CORRODED

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

Offside Outer SILL CORRODED

Pass 9 Jul 2021 92,508 miles

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

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

Pass 2 Jun 2020 92,043 miles

All over corrosion

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 2 Jun 2020 92,043 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

All over corrosion

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 5 Jun 2019 91,824 miles

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

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

Fail 5 Jun 2019 91,824 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Nearside Front Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill holed (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 11 Oct 2017 91,556 miles
Fail 9 Oct 2017 91,546 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

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

Nearside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 8 Apr 2016 91,408 miles

Nearside Outer Vehicle structure has slight corrosion sill (6.1.B.2)

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

Fail 5 Apr 2016 91,406 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Nearside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

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

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

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Outer Vehicle structure has an unsatisfactory modification, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings sill (6.1.B.2)

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

Nearside Outer Vehicle structure has slight corrosion sill (6.1.B.2)

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 5 Aug 2014 91,320 miles
Fail 2 Jun 2014 91,320 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b) DANGEROUS

Pass 20 Sep 2012 91,268 miles
Pass 5 Jul 2011 89,274 miles
Fail 4 Jul 2011

Inner Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 15 Jun 2011 89,162 miles

Centre Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Power steering pump drive system defective (2.3.6)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Fuel pipe/s corroded

Nearside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside outer track rod end joint cover split/missing

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Power steering pump has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

centre stop lamp not working unable to check if wiring connected

unable to test adult seat belt n/s/r child seat fitted

Pass 25 Jun 2010 85,610 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Oil leak

Pass 2 Sep 2009 82,815 miles
Fail 2 Sep 2009 82,815 miles

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

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

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

Pass 21 Aug 2008 74,877 miles

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Fail 21 Aug 2008 74,877 miles

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

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

Offside Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 13 Sep 2007 68,250 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Fail 12 Sep 2007 68,250 miles

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

Offside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c) DANGEROUS

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Fail 18 Sep 2006 63,647 miles

Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Pass 18 Sep 2006 63,647 miles
Fail 7 Sep 2006 63,646 miles

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

Pass 10 Mar 2006 62,325 miles
Fail 10 Mar 2006 62,323 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Nearside Front coil spring cracked (2.4.C.1a)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image too far to the right (1.6.B4)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image too far to the right (1.6.B4)

Offside Headlamp aim too high when the centre of the headlamp is below 850mm from the ground (1.6.B2)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Steering column top mounting bracket insecure (2.1.2d)

How Reliable is the Ford Escort?

Based on 4,961,191 MOT tests across 821,553 vehicles.

63.1%
Pass Rate
4,830
Miles/Year
38
Year Lifespan
821,553
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 465,333
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 447,459
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 433,778
Brake pipe excessively corroded 419,450
constant velocity joint gaiter split 203,602
Full Ford Escort reliability report

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P397 RAR is a 1997 Ford Escort in Blue with a 1,796cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 51.7%.

Across all 1997 Ford Escort models, the average MOT pass rate is 62.1% with a typical mileage of 62,516 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 Escort fails its MOT is suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, accounting for 465,333 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P397 RAR, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Ford Escort typically stays on UK roads for around 38 years. At 29 years old, this Ford Escort is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P397 RAR?

You can check the full history of P397 RAR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P397 RAR registered?

P397 RAR is a 1997 Ford Escort, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P397 RAR safe to buy?

The MOT history for P397 RAR shows 29 tests with a 51.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P397 RAR 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 P397 RAR. 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.