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R273 VLK

1997 Ford Probe

Blue Petrol 1991cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Oct 2026
Tests27 (14 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate51.9%

Mileage

183,980 mi
Last recorded183,980 miles
Recorded on30 Oct 2025
Typical for 1997 Ford Probe92,898 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Ford
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR273 VLK
MakeFord
ModelProbe
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,991cc

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 13 fail
Pass 30 Oct 2025 183,980 miles

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front lower wing corroded

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

slight corrosion around engine mounting on inner wing

Fail 24 Oct 2025 183,976 miles

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

Offside Rear Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

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

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Coolant leak ()

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Front lower wing corroded

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

reg plate bulbs different colour to white

slight corrosion around engine mounting on inner wing

Fail 8 Mar 2024 183,904 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Offside Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 24 Aug 2022 183,451 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

rear wheel arches rusty

Fail 26 Jul 2022 183,437 miles

Bonnet primary retaining device ineffective (3.1 (c))

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

Nearside Front Vehicle structure is deformed but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp insecure (4.2.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

rear wheel arches rusty

Fail 7 Jul 2022 183,435 miles

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

Nearside Front Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Road wheel fixing missing (5.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and seriously weakened inner sill (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 23 Aug 2019 183,406 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner outer sills (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength top inner wing (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner outer sills (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

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

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

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced 30cm subframe (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced 30cm subframe (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear tyre runout

Rear Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 3 Feb 2017 179,727 miles

Coolant leak ()

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

Nearside Rear chassis corroded

Offside Rear chassis holed and corroded

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

just passed the emissions test

Fail 2 Feb 2017 179,727 miles

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

Coolant leak ()

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

Nearside Rear chassis corroded

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

Offside Rear chassis holed and corroded

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

just passed the emissions test

Pass 8 Feb 2016 174,440 miles
Pass 16 Feb 2015 168,951 miles
Pass 27 Mar 2014 163,773 miles

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

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

Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 26 Mar 2014 163,773 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

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

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

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Rattling from engine

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

Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 28 Mar 2013 158,543 miles

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

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

Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 27 Mar 2013 158,543 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

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

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

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

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

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

Oil leak

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

Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 30 Mar 2012 153,416 miles

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

Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

both inner cv gaters leaking

oil leak

Fail 29 Mar 2012 153,416 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

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

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

Both inner cv boots leaking grease

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

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

Oil leak

Steering rack gaiter deteriorated (2.2.D.2d)

Pass 30 Mar 2011 148,342 miles

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

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

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

Fail 29 Mar 2011 148,342 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

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 Outer Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering (6.1.A.1)

Nearside Rear brake caliper leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

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

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

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

Pass 1 Apr 2010 142,791 miles
Fail 29 Mar 2010 142,791 miles

Front position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

Rear Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 1 Apr 2009 137,133 miles
Fail 31 Mar 2009 137,132 miles

Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

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

Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged (3.6.B.4d)

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

Pass 19 Mar 2008 130,798 miles

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

Pass 12 Mar 2007 122,026 miles
Pass 23 Mar 2006 113,917 miles
Fail 22 Mar 2006 113,917 miles

Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

How Reliable is the Ford Probe?

Based on 68,773 MOT tests across 11,550 vehicles.

64.0%
Pass Rate
3,995
Miles/Year
32
Year Lifespan
11,550
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

constant velocity joint gaiter split 6,655
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 4,961
Brake pipe excessively corroded 4,508
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 3,616
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 3,033
Full Ford Probe 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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R273 VLK is a 1997 Ford Probe in Blue with a 1,991cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 27 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 51.9%.

Across all 1997 Ford Probe models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.7% with a typical mileage of 92,898 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 Probe fails its MOT is constant velocity joint gaiter split, accounting for 6,655 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R273 VLK, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Ford Probe typically stays on UK roads for around 32 years. At 29 years old, this Ford Probe is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R273 VLK?

You can check the full history of R273 VLK by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R273 VLK registered?

R273 VLK is a 1997 Ford Probe, first registered on 20 November 1997.

Is R273 VLK safe to buy?

The MOT history for R273 VLK shows 27 tests with a 51.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R273 VLK 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 R273 VLK. 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.