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R442 VLU

1997 Jeep Wrangler 4.0 Sahara

Black Petrol 3960cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires21 May 2027
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

152,084 mi
Last recorded152,084 miles
Recorded on22 May 2026
Typical for 1997 Jeep Wrangler 4.0 Sahara76,415 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Jeep
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR442 VLU
MakeJeep
ModelWrangler 4.0 Sahara
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine3,960cc

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

19 pass 10 fail
Pass 22 May 2026 152,084 miles

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

underside/chassis and suspension covered in underseal

Pass 21 Oct 2024 151,377 miles

Coil spring corroded all four (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security central mounting area (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive spring seat - approaching limit (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security central mounting area (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive spring seat - approaching limit (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Steering column top bearing slightly worn slight play (2.2.2 (b))

Steering component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive steering box area in chassis (2.1.2 (e) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis corroded generally and heavily undersealed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

fuel tank support cradle is heavily corroded

Fail 21 Oct 2024 151,377 miles

Coil spring corroded all four (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security central mounting area (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low flat top image present (4.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive spring seat - approaching limit (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security central mounting area (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive spring seat - approaching limit (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Steering column top bearing slightly worn slight play (2.2.2 (b))

Steering component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive steering box area in chassis (2.1.2 (e) (i))

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis corroded generally and heavily undersealed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

fuel tank support cradle is heavily corroded

Fail 14 Nov 2023 151,360 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Central Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security n/s rear body mount of 3 (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Central Cab or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security o/s rear body mount area of 3 (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Driver's view Items removed from driver's view prior to test (3.1 (a) (ii))

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

Nearside Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced main chassis rail through out (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Offside Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced main chassis rail through out (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 17 Oct 2022 148,232 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Near brake servo (1.1.11 (c))

Front Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Rear Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear seat folded not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Underbody sprayed heavily with Underseal

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

Fail 15 Oct 2022 148,229 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Near brake servo (1.1.11 (c))

Front Items removed from driver's view prior to test

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

Rear Suspension component corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Rear seat folded not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Underbody sprayed heavily with Underseal

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

Pass 27 Oct 2021 146,892 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded

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

Pass 18 Aug 2020 146,538 miles

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

Some slight underside corrosion

Pass 17 Sep 2019 145,952 miles

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

Fail 6 Sep 2019 145,952 miles

Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

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

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

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

Pass 4 Sep 2018 142,086 miles
Fail 3 Sep 2018 142,084 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Inner Brake pipe excessively corroded front too rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Outer Brake pipe excessively corroded front too rear (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake pipe likely to become detached or damaged (1.1.11 (d) (ii))

Pass 12 Sep 2017 141,188 miles

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

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Fail 29 Aug 2017 141,178 miles

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

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Nearside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Front Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has excessive play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Front Drive shaft uj which forms part of the suspension has slight play in a universal joint (2.4.G.4b)

Nearside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Pass 30 Aug 2016 135,141 miles

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

Fail 30 Aug 2016 135,141 miles

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

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 25 Aug 2015 130,594 miles

exhaust rear bracket missing

front & rear brake pipes lightly corroded inside metal sheithing

leak of oil or fluid on nearside rear hubb/back plate

Fail 24 Aug 2015 130,594 miles

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp shows direct white light to the rear (1.1.C.1f)

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

exhaust rear bracket missing

front & rear brake pipes lightly corroded inside metal sheithing

leak of oil or fluid on nearside rear hubb/back plate

Pass 18 Aug 2014 124,784 miles
Fail 18 Aug 2014 124,779 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Pass 19 Sep 2013 119,540 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 4 Dec 2012 115,388 miles
Pass 5 Dec 2011 110,206 miles

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

front engine oil leak

Pass 8 Dec 2010 104,928 miles
Pass 30 Nov 2009 98,569 miles
Fail 24 Nov 2009 98,552 miles

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

Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Pass 18 Nov 2008 91,468 miles
Pass 9 Nov 2007 85,130 miles
Pass 17 Nov 2006 76,851 miles

How Reliable is the Jeep Wrangler 4.0 Sahara?

Based on 4,788 MOT tests across 263 vehicles.

70.9%
Pass Rate
2,157
Miles/Year
29
Year Lifespan
263
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 227
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 93
Stop lamp not working 90
Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush 81
fog lamp not working 70
Full Jeep Wrangler 4.0 Sahara reliability report

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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R442 VLU is a 1997 Jeep Wrangler 4.0 Sahara in Black with a 3,960cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

Across all 1997 Jeep Wrangler 4.0 Sahara models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.0% with a typical mileage of 76,415 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 Jeep Wrangler 4.0 Sahara fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 227 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R442 VLU, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Jeep Wrangler 4.0 Sahara typically stays on UK roads for around 29 years. At 29 years old, this Jeep Wrangler 4.0 Sahara is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R442 VLU?

You can check the full history of R442 VLU by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R442 VLU registered?

R442 VLU is a 1997 Jeep Wrangler 4.0 Sahara, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R442 VLU safe to buy?

The MOT history for R442 VLU shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R442 VLU 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 R442 VLU. 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.