CarVerify

Free Car Check

R818 VRD

1997 Vauxhall Brava

Yellow Diesel 2499cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Apr 2027
Tests30 (19 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate63.3%

Mileage

142,246 mi
Last recorded142,246 miles
Recorded on24 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 Vauxhall Brava120,303 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Vauxhall
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR818 VRD
MakeVauxhall
ModelBrava
Year1997
ColourYellow
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,499cc

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 11 fail
Pass 24 Apr 2026 142,246 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases flexi coupling (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Fuel hose deteriorated (6.1.3 (c) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) insecure (4.3.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Fail 23 Apr 2026 142,242 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

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

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases flexi coupling (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Rear Fuel hose deteriorated (6.1.3 (c) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) insecure (4.3.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Pass 30 Apr 2025 141,482 miles

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Pass 26 Oct 2023 139,903 miles
Fail 25 Oct 2023 139,890 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

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

Pass 5 Jul 2022 138,909 miles

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

Fail 27 Jun 2022 138,909 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 13 Jul 2021 138,700 miles
Fail 6 Jul 2021 138,700 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Fuel pipe leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Leaf spring anchor pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Rear Leaf spring anchor pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Pass 22 Jun 2020 138,560 miles
Fail 16 Jun 2020 138,560 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit (8.2.2.2 (a))

Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

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

Offside Front Outer Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 27 Jun 2019 138,427 miles

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Fail 21 Jun 2019 138,427 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Shock absorbers insecurely attached (5.3.2 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Pass 19 Jul 2018 138,196 miles

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Fail 17 Jul 2018 138,196 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Exhaust emissions test aborted because smoke levels are significantly in excess of the specified limit values (8.2.2.2 (f))

Main beam tell-tale not working (4.9.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Fuel Pipe/s corroded ()

Pass 5 Jul 2017 137,882 miles
Pass 7 Jul 2016 137,575 miles
Pass 3 Sep 2014 136,893 miles
Fail 28 Aug 2014 136,893 miles

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

Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour (7.4.B.4)

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

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

Offside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Pass 16 Sep 2013 135,893 miles
Fail 13 Sep 2013 135,893 miles

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by damage (6.1.C.1)

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b)

Pass 3 Sep 2012 134,497 miles
Fail 30 Aug 2012 134,493 miles

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 9 Sep 2011 132,363 miles
Pass 2 Sep 2010 129,880 miles
Pass 4 Sep 2009 125,560 miles
Pass 4 Sep 2008 120,543 miles
Fail 2 Sep 2008 120,494 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

Nearside Front front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect (2.7.5)

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

Pass 8 Sep 2007 113,357 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 17 Aug 2006 107,658 miles

How Reliable is the Vauxhall Brava?

Based on 90,327 MOT tests across 11,915 vehicles.

64.8%
Pass Rate
5,344
Miles/Year
35
Year Lifespan
11,915
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 8,298
fog lamp not working 4,179
Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 3,702
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 3,699
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 3,527
Full Vauxhall Brava 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

R818 VRD is a 1997 Vauxhall Brava in Yellow with a 2,499cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.3%.

Across all 1997 Vauxhall Brava models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.0% with a typical mileage of 120,303 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 Vauxhall Brava fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 8,298 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R818 VRD, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Vauxhall Brava typically stays on UK roads for around 35 years. At 29 years old, this Vauxhall Brava is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R818 VRD?

You can check the full history of R818 VRD by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R818 VRD registered?

R818 VRD is a 1997 Vauxhall Brava, first registered on 6 August 1997.

Is R818 VRD safe to buy?

The MOT history for R818 VRD shows 30 tests with a 63.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R818 VRD 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 R818 VRD. 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.