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R958 DFL

1997 Ford Explorer

Blue Petrol 4008cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 May 2027
Tests21 (14 pass, 7 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

117,628 mi
Last recorded117,628 miles
Recorded on21 May 2026
Typical for 1997 Ford Explorer95,460 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationR958 DFL
MakeFord
ModelExplorer
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine4,008cc

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

14 pass 7 fail
Pass 21 May 2026 117,628 miles

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

Fail 5 May 2026 117,592 miles

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

Nearside Front Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced cill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Inner Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced cill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced cill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Nearside Rear Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Parking (secondary brake) on a single line braking system has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.3.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside 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 16 Apr 2019 115,124 miles

CORROSION STARTING IN PRESCRIBED AREAS

Pass 23 Mar 2018 113,615 miles

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

Fail 15 Mar 2018 113,592 miles

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

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

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

Pass 16 Mar 2017 111,846 miles
Fail 23 Feb 2017 111,824 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely by positive means (7.2.4b)

Nearside Front Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

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

Nearside Rear Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecure (2.4.G.1)

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

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

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

Nearside Outer Front suspension ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Pass 9 Mar 2016 109,999 miles

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

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

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

Pass 10 Feb 2015 107,946 miles

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

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

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

Fail 10 Feb 2015 107,946 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

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

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

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

Pass 14 Feb 2014 106,398 miles

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

Fail 13 Feb 2014 106,398 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Feb 2013 104,500 miles
Pass 9 Feb 2012 10,034 miles

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Fail 9 Feb 2012 100,334 miles

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

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

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

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

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Pass 15 Feb 2011 94,967 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)

Pass 2 Mar 2010 88,555 miles

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

Pass 4 Mar 2009 82,731 miles
Pass 11 Feb 2008 75,897 miles
Fail 11 Feb 2008 75,897 miles

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

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Pass 8 Mar 2007 69,717 miles

How Reliable is the Ford Explorer?

Based on 69,767 MOT tests across 7,490 vehicles.

68.5%
Pass Rate
4,557
Miles/Year
29
Year Lifespan
7,490
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 5,568
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 3,403
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 2,515
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 2,513
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 2,251
Full Ford Explorer reliability report

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R958 DFL is a 1997 Ford Explorer in Blue with a 4,008cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 21 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1997 Ford Explorer models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.7% with a typical mileage of 95,460 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 Ford Explorer fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 5,568 recorded failures. If you're considering buying R958 DFL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R958 DFL?

You can check the full history of R958 DFL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R958 DFL registered?

R958 DFL is a 1997 Ford Explorer, first registered on 16 September 1997.

Is R958 DFL safe to buy?

The MOT history for R958 DFL shows 21 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 R958 DFL 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 R958 DFL. 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.