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R51 ETL

1997 Volkswagen Multivan

Green Diesel 2459cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 Jul 2026
Tests37 (21 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate56.8%

Mileage

167,914 mi
Last recorded167,914 miles
Recorded on17 Jul 2025
Typical for 1997 Volkswagen Multivan160,104 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

RegistrationR51 ETL
MakeVolkswagen
ModelMultivan
Year1997
ColourGreen
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,459cc

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

21 pass 16 fail
Pass 17 Jul 2025 167,914 miles

Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread Both (0.1 (b))

Pass 24 Jul 2024 165,332 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 24 Jul 2024 165,332 miles

Fuel hose leaking Fuel leak from front of engine, suspect spill return pipes, further investigation necessary (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Fail 19 Jul 2024 165,324 miles

Fuel hose leaking Fuel leak from front of engine, suspect spill return pipes, further investigation necessary (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Sill holed outside of prescribed area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 18 Jul 2023 162,839 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Rear bushes both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Inner Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 22 Jul 2022 161,168 miles

Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Fail 18 Jul 2022 161,162 miles

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

Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Both sides (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a slightly worn bush (5.3.2 (c))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Chassis leg holed outside of prescribed area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 16 Jul 2021 159,500 miles

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

Fail 12 Jul 2021 159,498 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 24 Jul 2020 157,760 miles
Fail 16 Jul 2020 157,751 miles

Fuel system component leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Pass 12 Jul 2019 155,400 miles
Fail 12 Jul 2019 155,400 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 13 Jul 2018 151,347 miles
Pass 20 Jul 2017 148,571 miles
Fail 14 Jul 2017 148,571 miles

Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened FRONT (3.5.1b)

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded INNER ARCH/CHASSIS (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded INNER SILL (2.4.A.3)

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

Pass 13 Jul 2016 143,749 miles
Pass 21 Jul 2015 139,299 miles
Fail 20 Jul 2015 139,298 miles

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

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

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

Pass 23 Jul 2014 135,372 miles
Fail 18 Jul 2014 135,372 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 22 Jul 2013 131,272 miles
Fail 22 Jul 2013 131,272 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Pass 18 Jul 2012 125,845 miles
Pass 21 Jul 2011 71,943 miles
Fail 18 Jul 2011 71,943 miles

Offside Front Obligatory mirror not clearly visible from the drivers seat or incapable of being adjusted to be clearly visible from the driver's seat (8.1.1d)

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

Pass 24 Jul 2010 117,449 miles
Fail 20 Jul 2010 117,449 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

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

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

both front tyres wearing on inner edges

Pass 8 Jul 2009 111,293 miles
Fail 30 Jun 2009 111,293 miles

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

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

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

Pass 15 Jul 2008 107,127 miles
Fail 8 Jul 2008 107,127 miles

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 2 Jul 2007 101,193 miles
Fail 25 Jun 2007 101,193 miles

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

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

Pass 22 Jul 2006 92,187 miles

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

Fail 17 Jul 2006 92,063 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized (3.6.E.3)

Pass 18 Jul 2005 82,653 miles

Offside Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Multivan?

Based on 9,554 MOT tests across 618 vehicles.

68.3%
Pass Rate
4,129
Miles/Year
56
Year Lifespan
618
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Registration plate lamp not working 220
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 214
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 213
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside 209
Stop lamp not working 193
Full Volkswagen Multivan 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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R51 ETL is a 1997 Volkswagen Multivan in Green with a 2,459cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 37 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 56.8%.

Across all 1997 Volkswagen Multivan models, the average MOT pass rate is 62.8% with a typical mileage of 160,104 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 Volkswagen Multivan fails its MOT is registration plate lamp not working, accounting for 220 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R51 ETL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Multivan typically stays on UK roads for around 56 years. At 29 years old, this Volkswagen Multivan is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R51 ETL?

You can check the full history of R51 ETL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R51 ETL registered?

R51 ETL is a 1997 Volkswagen Multivan, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R51 ETL safe to buy?

The MOT history for R51 ETL shows 37 tests with a 56.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R51 ETL 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 R51 ETL. 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.