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S12 ALW

1998 Ford Cougar

Silver Petrol 2544cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires26 Mar 2026
Tests31 (20 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate64.5%

Mileage

144,979 mi
Last recorded144,979 miles
Recorded on27 Mar 2025
Typical for 1998 Ford Cougar87,878 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Ford
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS12 ALW
MakeFord
ModelCougar
Year1998
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine2,544cc

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 11 fail
Pass 27 Mar 2025 144,979 miles

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

Front Service brake binding but not excessively both (1.2.1 (f))

Front subframe under sealed

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Rear subframe and suspension components under sealed

vehicle heavily under sealed

Fail 27 Mar 2025 144,797 miles

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

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

Front Service brake binding but not excessively both (1.2.1 (f))

Front subframe under sealed

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Rear subframe and suspension components under sealed

vehicle heavily under sealed

Pass 23 May 2024 143,989 miles

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

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded filler pipes ()

general under body corrosion present

Fail 12 Mar 2024 143,986 miles

Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle (8.2.1.2 (f))

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

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

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

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

Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength to rear of wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.1.6 (i) (i))

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

Windscreen wiper not working (3.4 (a))

Nearside Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Headlamp lens slightly defective (4.1.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Fuel Pipe/s corroded fuel tank filler pipes corroded ()

general under body corrosion present

Pass 21 Dec 2022 142,703 miles

large ammounts of welding have been done to this vehicle and should be checked regular for corrosion

Fail 21 Dec 2022 142,695 miles

Nearside Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

large ammounts of welding have been done to this vehicle and should be checked regular for corrosion

Fail 14 Oct 2022 142,691 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn inner (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

large amounts of welding have been done to this vehicle and should be checked regular for corrosion

Pass 8 Sep 2021 141,372 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Heavy progressive corrosion on vehicle underside. Many welding repairs carried out

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

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

Fail 17 Aug 2021 141,348 miles

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill and floor pan (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner wing panel (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

corrossion on front subframe

heavy corrossion on underside of vehicle that could not be penetrated during test

Pass 28 Aug 2020 140,015 miles

Nearside Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated Both (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Progressive heavy corrosion under vehicle including, but not limited to, chassis, inner sills, floor pans and suspension components

Fail 19 Aug 2020 140,010 miles

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

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

Rear Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Nearside Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated Both (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Nearside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Progressive heavy corrosion under vehicle including, but not limited to, chassis, inner sills, floor pans and suspension components

Pass 16 Aug 2019 139,340 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Heavy progressive corrosion under vehicle

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Fail 8 Aug 2019 139,337 miles

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

Front Brake disc significantly and obviously worn (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Heavy progressive corrosion under vehicle

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Jul 2018 137,682 miles

corrossion on rear brake discs

heavy corrossion on underside ov vehicle

Fail 24 Jul 2018 137,677 miles

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced both outer sills (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced o/s rear inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

corrossion on rear brake discs

heavy corrossion on underside ov vehicle

Pass 9 Aug 2017 136,662 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear at front joints (3.6.B.2c)

corrosion on both front shock absorbers

corrosion on rear brake discs

fuel pipes and filler pipe heavily corroded

offside fuel tank strap corroded

Fail 26 Jul 2017 136,582 miles

Nearside Front Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded sill (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Inner Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded sill and floorpan (5.2.6)

Rear Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Brake pipe slightly corroded front to rear at front joints (3.6.B.2c)

corrosion on both front shock absorbers

corrosion on rear brake discs

fuel pipes and filler pipe heavily corroded

offside fuel tank strap corroded

Pass 23 Aug 2016 132,990 miles

large amounts of welding have been done for the mot

rack gaitors twisted

tyres wearing on outer edges

Fail 22 Aug 2016 132,986 miles

registration plate displaying a honeycomb or similar effect background rear (6.3.3)

large amounts of welding have been done for the mot

rack gaitors twisted

tyres wearing on outer edges

Pass 27 Jul 2015 129,985 miles
Pass 7 Aug 2014 126,558 miles

fuel pipes corroded

under body corroded

Pass 19 Jul 2013 121,456 miles

rear suspension arms corroded

under body corroded

Pass 17 Jul 2012 116,647 miles
Pass 8 Aug 2011 110,967 miles

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

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 4 Aug 2010 104,545 miles
Pass 29 Jul 2009 97,261 miles
Pass 6 Aug 2008 89,267 miles

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

Pass 27 Jul 2007 84,185 miles

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

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Pass 7 Aug 2006 77,633 miles
Fail 7 Aug 2006 77,633 miles

Offside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Pass 4 Aug 2005 72,342 miles

NS FRONT TYRE WEARING ON OUTER EDGE

How Reliable is the Ford Cougar?

Based on 152,057 MOT tests across 13,390 vehicles.

66.3%
Pass Rate
5,383
Miles/Year
28
Year Lifespan
13,390
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 11,699
Brake pipe excessively corroded 11,462
position lamp(s) not working 9,511
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 8,919
parking brake recording little or no effort 5,673
Full Ford Cougar reliability report

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S12 ALW is a 1998 Ford Cougar in Silver with a 2,544cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 64.5%.

Across all 1998 Ford Cougar models, the average MOT pass rate is 64.8% with a typical mileage of 87,878 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 Cougar fails its MOT is parking brake: efficiency below requirements, accounting for 11,699 recorded failures. If you're considering buying S12 ALW, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Ford Cougar typically stays on UK roads for around 28 years. At 28 years old, this Ford Cougar is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of S12 ALW?

You can check the full history of S12 ALW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S12 ALW registered?

S12 ALW is a 1998 Ford Cougar, first registered on 30 November 1998.

Is S12 ALW safe to buy?

The MOT history for S12 ALW shows 31 tests with a 64.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S12 ALW 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 S12 ALW. 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.