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R408 DDW

1997 Seat Arosa

Red Petrol 1390cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Sep 2026
Tests30 (18 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate60%

Mileage

66,110 mi
Last recorded66,110 miles
Recorded on9 Sep 2025
Typical for 1997 Seat Arosa60,650 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR408 DDW
MakeSeat
ModelArosa
Year1997
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,390cc

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

18 pass 12 fail
Pass 9 Sep 2025 66,110 miles

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

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded all ()

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

advise sills and welded plates covered in underseal

advise underbody corrosion

Fail 5 Sep 2025 66,110 miles

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

Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded all ()

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

advise sills and welded plates covered in underseal

advise underbody corrosion

Pass 5 May 2023 66,107 miles

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

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

both rear outer sills corroded

Fail 5 May 2023 66,107 miles

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

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

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

both rear outer sills corroded

Pass 20 Jan 2022 64,294 miles

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

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

Fail 20 Jan 2022 64,288 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 3 Feb 2021 61,230 miles

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

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

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

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

Fail 9 Nov 2020 61,228 miles

Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced door step (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

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

Pass 28 Oct 2019 55,378 miles

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

Fail 24 Oct 2019 55,375 miles

Brake load sensing valve seized but ABS functioning (1.1.17 (c) (i))

Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Nearside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Headlamp insecure (4.1.1 (c))

Offside Rear Service brake effort inadequate at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing play so excessive it is likely to break up (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Wheel bearing play so excessive it is likely to break up (5.1.3 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 6 Nov 2018 48,514 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

rear service brake readings low

service brake on limit 50%

Fail 2 Nov 2018 48,513 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

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

rear service brake readings low

service brake on limit 50%

Pass 1 Nov 2017 41,824 miles
Fail 31 Oct 2017 41,821 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

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

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

Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Pass 9 Nov 2016 35,200 miles

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

Fail 9 Nov 2016 35,200 miles

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

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

Pass 11 Nov 2015 30,241 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 17 Oct 2014 23,297 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Pass 17 Oct 2014 23,297 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Pass 11 Nov 2013 20,229 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

front brake fluctuating, but not excessively (3.7.B.3)

Fail 24 Oct 2012 16,100 miles

Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

o/s washer

Pass 24 Oct 2012 16,100 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

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

o/s washer

Pass 25 Oct 2011 15,215 miles
Pass 2 Nov 2010 14,619 miles

Front brake application slightly uneven.

Pass 9 Nov 2009 14,140 miles
Fail 9 Nov 2009 14,139 miles

Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Pass 12 Nov 2008 13,575 miles

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

Fail 10 Nov 2008 13,561 miles

Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Front Direction indicators slightly discoloured (1.4.A.2f)

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

Pass 5 Nov 2007 13,220 miles

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 9 Nov 2006 12,948 miles

How Reliable is the Seat Arosa?

Based on 269,006 MOT tests across 18,002 vehicles.

72.0%
Pass Rate
4,317
Miles/Year
29
Year Lifespan
18,002
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 11,080
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 5,623
Stop lamp not working 4,843
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 4,712
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 4,672
Full Seat Arosa reliability report

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R408 DDW is a 1997 Seat Arosa in Red with a 1,390cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60%.

Across all 1997 Seat Arosa models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.3% with a typical mileage of 60,650 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 Seat Arosa fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 11,080 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R408 DDW, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R408 DDW?

You can check the full history of R408 DDW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R408 DDW registered?

R408 DDW is a 1997 Seat Arosa, first registered on 10 November 1997.

Is R408 DDW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R408 DDW shows 30 tests with a 60% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R408 DDW 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 R408 DDW. 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.