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R496 TKW

1997 Volkswagen Minibus

White Diesel 2370cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires30 Jun 2026
Tests21 (13 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate61.9%

Mileage

159,098 mi
Last recorded159,098 miles
Recorded on1 Jul 2025
Typical for 1997 Volkswagen Minibus167,070 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR496 TKW
MakeVolkswagen
ModelMinibus
Year1997
ColourWhite
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,370cc

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

13 pass 8 fail
Pass 1 Jul 2025 159,098 miles

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

reverse lights inop

Pass 3 Sep 2024 154,278 miles
Fail 27 Aug 2024 154,264 miles

Central Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Emissions unable to be completed coolant light on (8.2.2.2 (e))

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting and o/s inner sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting and o/s outer sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting and o/s/f inner arch (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension rod ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt and lower (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded and n/s/r (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing rough when rotated (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear and o/s/r mud guard fouling tyre

Pass 18 Jan 2020 153,391 miles

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

Front Brake hose slightly damaged both (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material small ones in caliper (1.1.11 (c))

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

alternator belt in poor condition

os rack end worn

Pass 2 Jan 2019 152,790 miles

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 3 Apr 2018 152,374 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Brake pipe slightly corroded o/s & n/s (3.6.B.2c)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 3 Apr 2018 152,374 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Brake pipe slightly corroded o/s & n/s (3.6.B.2c)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 27 Apr 2016 150,531 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

slight play steering rack inner joints.

Pass 4 Apr 2015 148,753 miles

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 4 Apr 2015 148,753 miles

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Fail 11 Apr 2013 145,764 miles

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

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Pass 11 Apr 2013 145,764 miles

Oil leak

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Pass 18 Jan 2012 142,376 miles

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

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

slight corrosion to nearside front inner sill

Pass 24 Sep 2010 141,306 miles

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

engine noisy

grease on offside front cv boot but no split evident

oil leak from sump plug

slight play in both front steering rack arms

Fail 23 Sep 2010 141,304 miles

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

Offside Registration plate lamp not illuminating the registration plate (1.1.C.1e)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

engine noisy

grease on offside front cv boot but no split evident

oil leak from sump plug

slight play in both front steering rack arms

Pass 30 Jul 2009 138,419 miles
Fail 30 Jul 2009 138,419 miles

Nearside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Offside Front Lower Ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Fail 25 Apr 2009 138,419 miles

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

Nearside Front Track rod end loose (2.2.B.1d)

Nearside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

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

Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel (2.1.2b)

Pass 2 Apr 2008 136,575 miles
Fail 31 Mar 2008 136,567 miles

Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted) (2.2.A.1b)

Pass 12 Apr 2007 135,149 miles

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Minibus?

Based on 1,648 MOT tests across 128 vehicles.

71.5%
Pass Rate
2,236
Miles/Year
45
Year Lifespan
128
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 57
Stop lamp not working 51
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 51
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 46
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 35
Full Volkswagen Minibus reliability report

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R496 TKW is a 1997 Volkswagen Minibus in White with a 2,370cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.9%.

Across all 1997 Volkswagen Minibus models, the average MOT pass rate is 58.5% with a typical mileage of 167,070 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Volkswagen Minibus fails its MOT is windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, accounting for 57 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R496 TKW, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Minibus typically stays on UK roads for around 45 years. At 29 years old, this Volkswagen Minibus is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R496 TKW?

You can check the full history of R496 TKW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R496 TKW registered?

R496 TKW is a 1997 Volkswagen Minibus, first registered on 1 September 1997.

Is R496 TKW safe to buy?

The MOT history for R496 TKW shows 21 tests with a 61.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R496 TKW 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 R496 TKW. 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.