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R785 MES

1997 Audi A4

Blue Petrol 1781cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 May 2027
Tests33 (20 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate60.6%

Mileage

261,963 mi
Last recorded261,963 miles
Recorded on20 May 2026
Typical for 1997 Audi A4129,309 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR785 MES
MakeAudi
ModelA4
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,781cc

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

20 pass 13 fail
Pass 20 May 2026 261,963 miles

Nearside Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Pass 18 Dec 2024 261,467 miles

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

Fail 4 Dec 2024 261,461 miles

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced door sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Pass 4 Dec 2023 260,871 miles
Fail 14 Nov 2023 260,869 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

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

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

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

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

Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Pass 25 Nov 2022 260,096 miles
Fail 16 Nov 2022 260,092 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

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

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 22 Nov 2021 259,265 miles
Fail 17 Nov 2021 259,261 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Pass 23 Nov 2020 258,239 miles
Fail 19 Nov 2020 258,235 miles

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

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

Fuel tank insecure (6.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 20 May 2019 256,841 miles

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 16 May 2019 256,837 miles

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

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

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

Offside Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Rear Sub-frame pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 14 May 2018 255,596 miles

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

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

Offside Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 11 May 2018 255,592 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

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

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

Offside Front suspension ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

advise fuel tank mounting strap broken but tank still secure

Pass 19 May 2017 252,514 miles

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame synthetic bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Fail 17 May 2017 252,510 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame synthetic bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 25 May 2016 248,522 miles

Engine oil leak

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

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

Nearside Rear Inner Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

Offside Rear Inner Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

engine undershield fitted

exhaust centre box starting to corrode

wiper blades not parking correctly

Fail 23 May 2016 248,519 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

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

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

Engine oil leak

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

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

Nearside Rear Inner Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Rear Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

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

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Offside Front Steering rack deformed but serviceable (2.2.C.1d)

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

Offside Front door slightly stiff to open from inside

Offside Rear Inner Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

engine undershield fitted

exhaust centre box starting to corrode

wiper blades not parking correctly

Pass 29 May 2015 241,428 miles

headlamp height control inop

reverse lamps inop

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

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

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

Nearside Inner Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

Offside Inner Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Oil leak

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

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

drivers door difficult to open

handbrake lever grip insecure

wipers not parking in correct position

Fail 26 May 2015 241,428 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Steering rack insecure (2.2.B.1a)

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

Offside Rear Coil spring not correctly located (2.4.C.2)

Offside Steering rack insecure (2.2.B.1a)

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

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

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

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

Nearside Headlamp aim too far to the left (1.8)

Nearside Inner Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

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

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Inner Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

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

Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Oil leak

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

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

drivers door difficult to open

handbrake lever grip insecure

headlamp height control inop

reverse lamps inop

wipers not parking in correct position

Pass 28 Apr 2014 229,213 miles

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

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

Slight play detected at steering wheel

nearside steering rack gaiter deteriorated

Pass 25 Apr 2013 216,949 miles

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Pass 23 Apr 2012 203,715 miles

Centre exhaust section corroded

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

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

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

airbag light on

front brake discs corroded and worn

Pass 20 Apr 2011 188,719 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Fail 20 Apr 2011 188,719 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Pass 22 Apr 2010 174,349 miles
Pass 20 Apr 2009 158,799 miles

rear exhaust outer cover corr0ded

Fail 15 Apr 2009 158,788 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Offside Front coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

rear exhaust outer cover corr0ded

Pass 16 Apr 2008 144,576 miles
Pass 11 Apr 2007 134,228 miles

front and rear brake pads low.

Pass 11 Apr 2006 124,446 miles

same as first tested.

Fail 10 Apr 2006 124,446 miles

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

both cv boots cracking.

offside front brake flexi hose perishing slightly.

How Reliable is the Audi A4?

Based on 7,096,957 MOT tests across 571,801 vehicles.

76.1%
Pass Rate
7,591
Miles/Year
31
Year Lifespan
571,801
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 231,238
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 97,478
Brake hose excessively deteriorated 97,376
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 84,223
Registration plate lamp not working 78,638
Full Audi A4 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

R785 MES is a 1997 Audi A4 in Blue with a 1,781cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 33 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.6%.

Across all 1997 Audi A4 models, the average MOT pass rate is 63.6% with a typical mileage of 129,309 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 Audi A4 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 231,238 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R785 MES, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Audi A4 typically stays on UK roads for around 31 years. At 29 years old, this Audi A4 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R785 MES?

You can check the full history of R785 MES by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R785 MES registered?

R785 MES is a 1997 Audi A4, first registered on 1 August 1997.

Is R785 MES safe to buy?

The MOT history for R785 MES shows 33 tests with a 60.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R785 MES 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 R785 MES. 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.