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R253 VJA

1997 Fiat Coupe

Black Petrol 1998cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Sep 2026
Tests24 (14 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate58.3%

Mileage

194,224 mi
Last recorded194,224 miles
Recorded on11 Aug 2025
Typical for 1997 Fiat Coupe93,876 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR253 VJA
MakeFiat
ModelCoupe
Year1997
ColourBlack
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

14 pass 10 fail
Pass 11 Aug 2025 194,224 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

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

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

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

Pass 3 Sep 2024 190,139 miles

Engine covers and undertrays fitted preventing the inspection of certain items.

Front Oil leak, but not excessive OIl leak from undertray and above. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Perished in tread wells. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 30 Aug 2024 190,129 miles

Offside Rear Brake pipe connection leaking on a hydraulic braking system Leaking from joint with caliper flexi hose. (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Engine covers and undertrays fitted preventing the inspection of certain items.

Front Oil leak, but not excessive OIl leak from undertray and above. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Perished in tread wells. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 23 Aug 2023 186,434 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear pipes corroded marked with chalk (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner arch marked with chalk (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Fail 22 Aug 2023 186,403 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

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

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

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

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear pipes corroded marked with chalk (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced inner arch marked with chalk (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Pass 5 Aug 2022 182,081 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (marked) (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear of inner arch (marked) (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Fail 26 Jul 2022 182,059 miles

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area fractured significantly reducing structural strength rear mounting (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Upper Engine mounting excessively loose (6.1.8 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear (marked) (1.1.11 (c))

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material pipe in to load valve (marked) (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced rear of inner arch (marked) (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

Pass 6 Aug 2021 177,362 miles

Coolant level low

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

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

Fail 4 Aug 2021 177,344 miles

Front Exhaust system insecure front exhaust bracket loose (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Coolant level low

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

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

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

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

Pass 19 Aug 2020 173,137 miles

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

Offside Rear Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Aug 2019 168,367 miles
Fail 12 Aug 2019 168,257 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 13 Sep 2018 163,701 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2017 158,574 miles

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

Pass 20 Aug 2016 152,892 miles

Nearside Front Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

oil leak

Pass 21 Aug 2015 147,445 miles

Nearside Front Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Oil leak

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

offside front tyre perishing

Fail 18 Aug 2015 147,384 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Oil leak

Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp does not illuminate (5.4.2)

offside front tyre perishing

Pass 22 Aug 2014 142,817 miles

Bonnet stay faulty

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear brake pipe slightly corroded

Rear silencer corroded

Fail 8 Aug 2014 142,809 miles

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Bonnet stay faulty

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rear brake pipe slightly corroded

Rear silencer corroded

Fail 15 Jul 2014 142,795 miles

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

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Bonnet stay faulty

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

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

rear silencer corroded

Pass 18 Sep 2008 142,778 miles
Fail 17 Sep 2008 142,778 miles

Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Pass 20 Apr 2007 142,663 miles

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

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

power steering pipes corroded at front

Fail 20 Apr 2007 142,663 miles

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

Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

power steering pipes corroded at front

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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R253 VJA is a 1997 Fiat Coupe in Black with a 1,998cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 58.3%.

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 R253 VJA, 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 R253 VJA?

You can check the full history of R253 VJA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R253 VJA registered?

R253 VJA is a 1997 Fiat Coupe, first registered on 18 August 1997.

Is R253 VJA safe to buy?

The MOT history for R253 VJA shows 24 tests with a 58.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R253 VJA 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 R253 VJA. 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.