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R278 PDV

1997 Reliant Rialto

Blue Petrol 848cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires23 Jun 2026
Tests29 (15 pass, 14 fail)
Pass rate51.7%

Mileage

95,134 mi
Last recorded95,134 miles
Recorded on24 Jun 2025
Typical for 1997 Reliant Rialto44,127 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Reliant
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR278 PDV
MakeReliant
ModelRialto
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine848cc

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

15 pass 14 fail
Pass 24 Jun 2025 95,134 miles

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

Fail 24 Jun 2025 95,134 miles

Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 15 Apr 2019 92,371 miles

Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

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 Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

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

brake pedal travel.

slight play in kingpin

Fail 15 Apr 2019 92,371 miles

Central Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Bumper insecure (6.1.4 (a) (i))

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

Front Road wheel slightly distorted (5.2.2 (c) (i))

Front Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

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 Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing (5.3.2 (b))

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

Spare tyre defective ()

brake pedal travel.

slight play in kingpin

Pass 16 Apr 2018 88,871 miles

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

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp (1.4.A.2h)

Fail 3 Apr 2018 88,685 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision worn smooth (3.3.A.1b)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (5.2.5b)

Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.4.A.2h)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Position lamp switch does not illuminate the front and rear position lamps with a single operation (1.1.A.2)

Advise battery insecure.

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

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Direction indicator affected by the operation of another lamp (1.4.A.2h)

Pass 7 Apr 2017 85,038 miles

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Oil leak ()

rear door lock advise

Fail 7 Apr 2017 85,038 miles

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Oil leak ()

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

rear door lock advise

Pass 9 Apr 2016 81,615 miles

front tyre slight cracking

oil leak

rear shock bushes deteriorated

unable to test seat rear seat belts

washer bottle insecure

Fail 16 Mar 2016 81,437 miles

Centre Obligatory mirror missing (8.1.1)

Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute (1.4.A.2g)

Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Fuel hose leaking Filter (7.2.3)

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.4.A.2h)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Battery insecure

Boot lid catch can be secured in closed position but bracket is slightly loose

Clutch pedal rubber split

Front tyre sidewalls are slightly perished

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush Upper and lower bush (2.7.4)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush Upper and lower bush (2.7.4)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Unable to test rear seat belts

Washer bottle insecure

Pass 13 Apr 2015 78,655 miles

Front Suspension weakened but no possibility of the body or a component fouling a road wheel (2.4.A.1b)

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

Fuel hose slightly damaged (7.2.2)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight external damage to the casing (2.7.2a)

Oil leak

o/s/r + n/s/r tyre deteriorated

slight play in kingpin

Fail 1 Apr 2015 78,409 miles

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Front Suspension weakened but no possibility of the body or a component fouling a road wheel (2.4.A.1b)

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

Fuel hose slightly damaged (7.2.2)

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight external damage to the casing (2.7.2a)

Oil leak

o/s/r + n/s/r tyre deteriorated

slight play in kingpin

Pass 26 Feb 2014 74,635 miles

Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Oil leak

Radius arm has slight play in a pin bearing (2.4.G.2)

both rear tyres slight cracking

Fail 26 Feb 2014 74,635 miles

Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Front registration plate dirty (6.3.1d)

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

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Oil leak

Radius arm has slight play in a pin bearing (2.4.G.2)

Spare tyre defective

both rear tyres slight cracking

Pass 15 Mar 2013 71,241 miles

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

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

Front Radius arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Spare tyre defective

engine mounts deteriorated

exhaust corroded

play in kingpin

Fail 4 Mar 2013 71,057 miles

Fuel tank insecure (7.2.1)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear Vehicle structure has an inadequate repair, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Front Radius arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Spare tyre defective

engine mounts deteriorated

exhaust corroded

play in kingpin

tow bar socket mount deteriorated

Pass 30 Mar 2012 67,282 miles

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

Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Oil leak

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

engine / gearbox mounts deteriorated

Fail 30 Mar 2012 67,282 miles

Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Front Axle king pin has slight play in pin and/or bush (2.5.A.3a)

Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Oil leak

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

engine / gearbox mounts deteriorated

Fail 5 Apr 2011 64,960 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

advise front to back brake pipe slightly rusty

advise movement in kingpin

advise track rod boots split

Pass 5 Apr 2011 64,960 miles

advise front to back brake pipe slightly rusty

advise movement in kingpin

advise track rod boots split

Pass 14 Apr 2010 62,832 miles

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

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

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

track rod end rubbers split

Fail 14 Apr 2010 62,832 miles

Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn bush (2.7.4)

Front Suspension weakened allowing body or other component to foul a road wheel or would do so if laden (2.4.A.1b)

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

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

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

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

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

track rod end rubbers split

Pass 26 Mar 2009 60,433 miles
Fail 23 Mar 2009 60,386 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working (1.4.A.2c)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Offside Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.1f)

Pass 31 Mar 2008 58,315 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 31 Mar 2008 58,315 miles

Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly (1.4.B.1e)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

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

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

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

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

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

advise bonnet insecure

Pass 27 Mar 2007 56,128 miles
Fail 27 Mar 2007 56,123 miles

Fuel tank leaking (7.2.3)

Offside Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.2.1d)

Parking brake lever, pawl mechanism pivots or their associated mountings are insecure (3.1.4b)

Offside Headlamp damaged but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Propshaft component defective

Pass 11 Apr 2006 54,024 miles

How Reliable is the Reliant Rialto?

Based on 33,460 MOT tests across 4,287 vehicles.

72.0%
Pass Rate
1,246
Miles/Year
44
Year Lifespan
4,287
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

fog lamp not working 1,438
Stop lamp not working 1,105
Brake pipe excessively corroded 762
position lamp(s) not working 749
parking brake recording little or no effort 667
Full Reliant Rialto reliability report

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R278 PDV is a 1997 Reliant Rialto in Blue with a 848cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 51.7%.

Across all 1997 Reliant Rialto models, the average MOT pass rate is 71.8% with a typical mileage of 44,127 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 Reliant Rialto fails its MOT is fog lamp not working, accounting for 1,438 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R278 PDV, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Reliant Rialto typically stays on UK roads for around 44 years. At 29 years old, this Reliant Rialto is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R278 PDV?

You can check the full history of R278 PDV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R278 PDV registered?

R278 PDV is a 1997 Reliant Rialto, first registered on 22 August 1997.

Is R278 PDV safe to buy?

The MOT history for R278 PDV shows 29 tests with a 51.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R278 PDV 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 R278 PDV. 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.