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R251 ACL

1997 Volkswagen Caddy

Blue Diesel 1896cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires17 Oct 2020
Tests23 (13 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate56.5%

Mileage

67,157 mi
Last recorded67,157 miles
Recorded on15 Jul 2026
Typical for 1997 Volkswagen Caddy112,438 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR251 ACL
MakeVolkswagen
ModelCaddy
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine1,896cc

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

13 pass 10 fail
Fail 15 Jul 2026 67,157 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Rear fog lamp does not emit a steady red light (4.5.4 (a))

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

Coolant leak

reverse light showin red light to the rear

Fail 30 May 2026 67,145 miles

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Inner Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

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

Engine stabilizer link deteriorated

Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Strut top mounting has slight play/movement

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

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

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

Pass 18 Apr 2019 64,952 miles

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

o/s front brake binding slightly.

Fail 18 Apr 2019 64,952 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced outer sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced outer sill x 2 (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

o/s front brake binding slightly.

Fail 21 Dec 2018 64,941 miles

Brake pedal not releasing correctly and functionality of brakes affected (1.1.2 (b) (ii))

Brake pedal pivot excessively tight (1.1.1 (a))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced upper seat belt mount (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (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))

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

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Direction indicator lens defective which has no effect on emitted light (4.4.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Macpherson strut 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 31 Aug 2017 54,468 miles

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

Fail 29 Aug 2017 54,464 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Outer Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Upper Vehicle structure has an inadequate repair which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

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

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

Offside Rear Inner Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Outer Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Offside Rear Upper Vehicle structure has an inadequate repair which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

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

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

Pass 5 Sep 2016 45,608 miles

1. No oil on dip stick.

2. Nearside and offside front steel brake pipes becoming corroded.

3. Slight scratch damage to windscreen.

4. Front brake pads wearing low.

Fail 23 Aug 2016 45,593 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on arm seized (8.2.1b)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded floor to sill (2.4.A.3)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded outer sill at front (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b) DANGEROUS

1. No oil on dip stick.

2. Nearside and offside front steel brake pipes becoming corroded.

3. Slight scratch damage to windscreen.

4. Front brake pads wearing low.

Pass 26 Jun 2015 42,336 miles

1. Nearside outer chassis rail becoming corroded at rear. 2. Nearside and offside front steel brake pipes becoming corroded. 3. Nearside front tyre near legal limits, worn on inside edge.

Fail 12 Jun 2015 42,327 miles

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

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

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

1. Nearside outer chassis rail becoming corroded at rear. 2. Nearside and offside front steel brake pipes becoming corroded. 3. Nearside front tyre near legal limits, worn on inside edge.

Pass 19 Jun 2014 41,084 miles

Near side and off side front steel brake pipes getting rusty.

Off side and near side rear steel brack pipes getting rusty.

Off side inner sill getting rusty.

Pass 18 Jun 2013 38,923 miles
Pass 20 Jun 2012 37,339 miles
Pass 17 Jun 2011 34,908 miles

N/S/F and O/S/F steel brake pipes tp flexy's starting to get rusty.

O/S/F tyre getting low on tread.

Rear steel brake pipes getting rusty.

Pass 21 Jun 2010 32,886 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2009 31,380 miles

o/s and n/s/r tyre side walls cracked

Fail 9 Jun 2009 31,377 miles

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

Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split (2.5.C.1a)

o/s and n/s/r tyre side walls cracked

Pass 21 May 2008 29,883 miles
Fail 21 May 2008 29,882 miles

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Fail 3 May 2007 28,041 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Pass 3 May 2007 28,041 miles
Pass 27 Apr 2006 24,916 miles

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Caddy?

Based on 2,354,923 MOT tests across 201,129 vehicles.

74.8%
Pass Rate
7,837
Miles/Year
30
Year Lifespan
201,129
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 44,074
Registration plate lamp not working 26,465
Brake pipe excessively corroded 24,927
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 22,804
Stop lamp not working 20,654
Full Volkswagen Caddy reliability report

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R251 ACL is a 1997 Volkswagen Caddy in Blue with a 1,896cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 23 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.5%.

Across all 1997 Volkswagen Caddy models, the average MOT pass rate is 61.7% with a typical mileage of 112,438 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 Volkswagen Caddy fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 44,074 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R251 ACL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Caddy typically stays on UK roads for around 30 years. At 29 years old, this Volkswagen Caddy is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R251 ACL?

You can check the full history of R251 ACL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R251 ACL registered?

R251 ACL is a 1997 Volkswagen Caddy, first registered on 30 September 1997.

Is R251 ACL safe to buy?

The MOT history for R251 ACL shows 23 tests with a 56.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R251 ACL 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 R251 ACL. 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.