CarVerify

Free Car Check

R81 BVV

1997 Audi A4

Black Diesel 1896cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires29 Oct 2026
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

429,426 mi
Last recorded429,426 miles
Recorded on8 Oct 2026
Typical for 1997 Audi A4129,309 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Audi
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £14.99

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

RegistrationR81 BVV
MakeAudi
ModelA4
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine1,896cc

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 10 fail
Fail 8 Oct 2026 429,426 miles

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint excessively worn (6.1.7 (c) (i))

Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Inner Sill/Floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 2 Oct 2025 419,616 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive CHASSIS (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front HEADLAMP HAS SLIGHT MOVEMENT

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Fail 2 Oct 2025 419,616 miles

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

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive CHASSIS (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Offside Front HEADLAMP HAS SLIGHT MOVEMENT

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Pass 30 Oct 2024 411,426 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 9 Oct 2024 411,298 miles

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

Nearside Rear Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Passenger's seat backrest cannot be secured in the upright position. (6.2.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt not functioning as intended Doesnt reach buckle (7.1.2 (c))

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated to subframe (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Chassis above exhaust (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Nearside rear lamp damaged and repaired

Offside Front Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated to subframe (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 6 Oct 2023 399,319 miles

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test

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

Pass 6 Oct 2022 388,136 miles

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

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Passenger seat(s) missing at time of test

Pass 6 Oct 2021 376,562 miles

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 15 Oct 2020 363,202 miles

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Fail 2 Oct 2020 362,676 miles

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Axle insecure such that functionality is affected (5.1.1 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Pass 15 Oct 2019 347,684 miles

Front wheel arches taped up

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

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 9 Oct 2019 347,631 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn Trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Front wheel arches taped up

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

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Trailing arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 9 Oct 2018 332,292 miles

Front wheel arches corroded

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

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 16 Oct 2017 321,389 miles

BOTH FRONT WINGS RUSTY AND REPAIRED WITH TAPE

EMISSIONS HIGH

Fail 10 Oct 2017 321,376 miles

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

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

Offside Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

BOTH FRONT WINGS RUSTY AND REPAIRED WITH TAPE

EMISSIONS HIGH

Pass 11 Oct 2016 303,794 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

emissions high

Fail 10 Oct 2016 303,773 miles

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

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

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

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

emissions high

offside rear shock absorber dampening poor

Pass 12 Oct 2015 284,172 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Pass 18 Oct 2014 267,037 miles
Pass 12 Nov 2013 248,345 miles
Pass 15 Nov 2012 233,292 miles

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

airbag light on

Pass 15 Nov 2011 216,476 miles

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

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

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

nearside front lower arm ball joint gaiter split.

slight play in both rear axle beam bushes.

Fail 14 Nov 2011 216,475 miles

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

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

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

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

nearside front lower arm ball joint gaiter split.

slight play in both rear axle beam bushes.

Pass 5 Nov 2010 199,841 miles

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

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

airbag warning light on

Fail 26 Oct 2010 199,690 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Seat belt damaged but webbing not significantly weakened (5.2.2a)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

airbag warning light on

Pass 13 Oct 2009 184,292 miles
Pass 21 Aug 2008 166,045 miles
Pass 7 Sep 2007 149,040 miles

both wiper blades deteriorating.

Pass 13 Sep 2006 132,703 miles
Fail 8 Sep 2006 132,471 miles

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

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

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

R81 BVV is a 1997 Audi A4 in Black with a 1,896cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

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 performed better than the average for its year.

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 R81 BVV, 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 R81 BVV?

You can check the full history of R81 BVV by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R81 BVV registered?

R81 BVV is a 1997 Audi A4, first registered on 24 September 1997.

Is R81 BVV safe to buy?

The MOT history for R81 BVV shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R81 BVV 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 R81 BVV. 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.