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S455 VAM

1998 Ford Explorer

Red Petrol 4008cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires17 Dec 2026
Tests26 (21 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80.8%

Mileage

101,768 mi
Last recorded101,768 miles
Recorded on18 Dec 2025
Typical for 1998 Ford Explorer92,272 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationS455 VAM
MakeFord
ModelExplorer
Year1998
ColourRed
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

21 pass 5 fail
Pass 18 Dec 2025 101,768 miles

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened subframe and surrounding components corroded but not weakened. (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 17 Dec 2024 101,108 miles

Brake hose slightly deteriorated BOTH FRONT (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

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

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

both front tyres split between tread

exhaust system in poor condition

Pass 15 Dec 2023 100,485 miles

all suspension components heavily corroded

both front tyres perished between tread

Pass 10 Oct 2022 99,713 miles

heavy corrosion to all suspension components and sub-frames

nearside front tyre perished between tread

rear exhaust mounting broken - system secure

Pass 4 Oct 2021 98,930 miles
Pass 30 Sep 2020 98,131 miles
Pass 27 Sep 2019 96,559 miles

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

Pass 2 Oct 2018 94,099 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Fail 2 Oct 2018 94,097 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint likely to become detached (5.3.4 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 22 Sep 2017 78,125 miles
Fail 21 Sep 2017 78,121 miles

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

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner sill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner sill closing point (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded outer sill (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner sill (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner sill closing point (2.4.A.3)

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Pass 23 Sep 2016 62,360 miles
Pass 5 Nov 2015 59,020 miles
Fail 5 Nov 2015 59,020 miles

Nearside Rear Rear fog lamp obviously incorrectly positioned (1.3.2a)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 17 Nov 2014 55,522 miles
Pass 21 Nov 2013 53,260 miles
Pass 16 Nov 2012 50,744 miles
Fail 15 Nov 2012 50,744 miles

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

Pass 24 Nov 2011 48,633 miles
Pass 24 Nov 2010 46,078 miles
Pass 6 Nov 2009 43,735 miles
Pass 8 Dec 2008 40,832 miles
Pass 27 Nov 2007 37,984 miles
Pass 31 Jan 2007 35,433 miles
Pass 1 Feb 2006 32,416 miles
Fail 27 Jan 2006 32,325 miles

Centre Rear Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure (5.2.1a)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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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S455 VAM is a 1998 Ford Explorer in Red with a 4,008cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80.8%.

Across all 1998 Ford Explorer models, the average MOT pass rate is 67.4% with a typical mileage of 92,272 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 S455 VAM, 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 28 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 S455 VAM?

You can check the full history of S455 VAM by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S455 VAM registered?

S455 VAM is a 1998 Ford Explorer, first registered on 14 October 1998.

Is S455 VAM safe to buy?

The MOT history for S455 VAM shows 26 tests with a 80.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S455 VAM 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 S455 VAM. 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.