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R161 BWL

1997 Fiat Coupe

Blue Petrol 1998cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires26 Feb 2026
Tests32 (19 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate59.4%

Mileage

128,685 mi
Last recorded128,685 miles
Recorded on26 Feb 2026
Typical for 1997 Fiat Coupe93,876 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Fiat
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR161 BWL
MakeFiat
ModelCoupe
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,998cc

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 13 fail
Fail 26 Feb 2026 128,685 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

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

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Floor / sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Floor / sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (4.1.4 (b))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

Coil spring corroded All four (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively All brakes (1.2.1 (e))

Service brake requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair (1.2.1 (c))

Pass 19 Feb 2025 128,660 miles

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Fail 19 Feb 2025 128,660 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Pass 16 Feb 2024 128,430 miles

Exhaust emits blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Nearside Front Prop shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 27 Feb 2023 127,951 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Pass 14 Feb 2022 127,262 miles

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Outer sill corroded

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

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

Fail 11 Feb 2022 127,262 miles

Offside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

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

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))

Nearside Front Outer sill corroded

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

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

Pass 17 Feb 2021 126,841 miles

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear suspension bump stop insecure

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

Offside Rear suspension bump stop insecure

Pass 24 Feb 2020 126,357 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 24 Feb 2020 126,356 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 13 Feb 2019 124,530 miles
Fail 11 Feb 2019 124,530 miles

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

Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

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

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Side repeater not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

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

Brake load sensing valve stiff (1.1.17 (c) (ii))

baffles loose centre exhaust pipe

Pass 14 Feb 2018 123,289 miles

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

Nearside Rear Inner brake disc corroded

rear braking efforts low

Pass 30 Jan 2017 122,671 miles

1x exhaust mount broken

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

baffle loose in centre box

Pass 3 Feb 2016 121,106 miles

exhaust blowing at manifold

Pass 11 Feb 2015 116,200 miles
Fail 4 Feb 2015 116,199 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Radius arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Centre Upper Stop lamp has light sources not illuminating, but not more than 50% (1.2.1b)

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

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

Pass 24 Feb 2014 107,624 miles

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

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

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

Fail 19 Feb 2014 107,624 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 25 Feb 2013 99,714 miles

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

Fail 18 Feb 2013 99,713 miles

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Offside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

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

exhaust tailpipe missing

Pass 22 Feb 2012 95,401 miles

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

exhaust tail pipe missing

Fail 16 Feb 2012 95,399 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

engine warning light stays on

exhaust tail pipe missing

Pass 4 Feb 2011 86,354 miles

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

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

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

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

rear bump stops broken

Fail 3 Feb 2011 86,352 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

all brake discs rusting

rear bump stops broken

Pass 16 Feb 2010 84,236 miles

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

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Fail 10 Feb 2010 84,183 miles

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

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

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Rear brake disc slightly scored (3.5.1h)

Pass 19 Feb 2009 80,092 miles

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

Fail 11 Feb 2009 80,061 miles

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

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

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

rear brake discs in poor condition

Pass 13 Feb 2008 74,133 miles
Fail 7 Feb 2008 73,955 miles

Exhaust has a part missing (7.1.1a)

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

engine missing on no5 cyl

Pass 14 Feb 2007 67,030 miles

How Reliable is the Fiat Coupe?

Based on 73,267 MOT tests across 6,722 vehicles.

64.6%
Pass Rate
3,394
Miles/Year
31
Year Lifespan
6,722
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 8,743
Brake pipe excessively corroded 3,861
brake recording little or no effort 3,763
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 3,410
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 3,269
Full Fiat Coupe reliability report

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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.

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R161 BWL is a 1997 Fiat Coupe in Blue with a 1,998cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.4%.

Across all 1997 Fiat Coupe models, the average MOT pass rate is 64.1% with a typical mileage of 93,876 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 Fiat Coupe fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 8,743 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R161 BWL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Fiat Coupe typically stays on UK roads for around 31 years. At 29 years old, this Fiat Coupe is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R161 BWL?

You can check the full history of R161 BWL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R161 BWL registered?

R161 BWL is a 1997 Fiat Coupe, first registered on 28 November 1997.

Is R161 BWL safe to buy?

The MOT history for R161 BWL shows 32 tests with a 59.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R161 BWL 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 R161 BWL. 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.