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R206 NOU

1997 Ford Explorer

Green Petrol 4008cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires9 Apr 2027
Tests32 (21 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate65.6%

Mileage

196,026 mi
Last recorded196,026 miles
Recorded on10 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 Ford Explorer95,460 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Ford
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR206 NOU
MakeFord
ModelExplorer
Year1997
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine4,008cc
View full Ford Explorer reliability data Browse other 1997 Ford Explorer registrations

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

21 pass 11 fail
Pass 10 Apr 2026 196,026 miles

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel Inner tie rod (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Fail 11 Mar 2026 195,743 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded and seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel Inner tie rod (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 20 Mar 2025 193,787 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel Inner tie rod (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Fail 10 Mar 2025 193,743 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Steering rack has slight free play detected at steering wheel Inner tie rod (2.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Pass 14 Mar 2024 192,082 miles

Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear d bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement droplink (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 4 Mar 2024 192,082 miles

Nearside Front Brake performance unable to be tested leaking (1.2.1 (g))

Nearside Front Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear d bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension rod pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement droplink (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 9 Mar 2023 189,864 miles

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

Fail 3 Mar 2023 18,983 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 4 Mar 2022 187,672 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear 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 Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Mar 2021 185,472 miles

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

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

Pass 4 Mar 2020 184,286 miles

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Pass 13 Mar 2019 180,020 miles

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

Nearside Rear 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))

Fail 28 Feb 2019 179,786 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear 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))

Pass 16 Mar 2018 175,694 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside front tyre cracking and wearing

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

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

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

Rear tyres cracking due to age

Slight play in nearside front inner steering tie rod

Fail 9 Mar 2018 175,693 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearside front tyre cracking and wearing

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

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

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

Rear tyres cracking due to age

Pass 7 Mar 2017 167,741 miles
Pass 8 Mar 2016 160,365 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 9 Mar 2015 153,444 miles

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

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 20 Mar 2014 145,437 miles

Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Fail 13 Mar 2014 145,435 miles

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

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

Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

Pass 18 Mar 2013 136,981 miles

Offside rear anti roll bar link lower bushes slightly worn.

Rear anti roll bar bushes slightly worn.

Rear metal brake pipe has advanced corrosion.

Fail 11 Mar 2013 136,978 miles

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

Nearside windscreen wiper slightly smeary.

Offside rear anti roll bar link lower bushes slightly worn.

Rear anti roll bar bushes slightly worn.

Rear metal brake pipe has advanced corrosion.

Fail 8 Mar 2012 128,367 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

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 Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 8 Mar 2012 128,367 miles

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 4 Mar 2011 117,826 miles

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

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

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Pass 2 Mar 2010 106,877 miles
Pass 9 Mar 2009 96,194 miles
Pass 5 Mar 2008 86,150 miles
Pass 8 Mar 2007 75,968 miles
Fail 1 Mar 2007 75,915 miles

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

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

Pass 27 Mar 2006 65,866 miles
Fail 16 Feb 2006 65,310 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

How Reliable is the Ford Explorer?

Based on 69,767 MOT tests across 7,490 vehicles.

68.5%
Pass Rate
4,557
Miles/Year
29
Year Lifespan
7,490
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 5,568
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 3,403
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 2,515
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 2,513
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 2,251
Full Ford Explorer reliability report

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R206 NOU is a 1997 Ford Explorer in Green with a 4,008cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.6%.

Across all 1997 Ford Explorer models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.7% with a typical mileage of 95,460 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 Explorer fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 5,568 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R206 NOU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R206 NOU?

You can check the full history of R206 NOU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R206 NOU registered?

R206 NOU is a 1997 Ford Explorer, first registered on 26 November 1997.

Is R206 NOU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R206 NOU shows 32 tests with a 65.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R206 NOU 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 R206 NOU. 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.