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S81 AFG

1998 Ford Cougar

Blue Petrol 1998cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires1 Dec 2026
Tests28 (17 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate60.7%

Mileage

72,951 mi
Last recorded72,951 miles
Recorded on2 Dec 2025
Typical for 1998 Ford Cougar87,878 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Ford
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS81 AFG
MakeFord
ModelCougar
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,998cc

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

17 pass 11 fail
Pass 2 Dec 2025 72,951 miles

Offside Front Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material chalked. (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Rear Rear suspension components have corrosion to them.

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both rear tyres cracked/perished. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 1 Dec 2025 72,946 miles

Nearside Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (fog lamp). (4.2.3 (c))

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed Due to being cracked/perished. (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed Due to being cracked/perished. (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Outer Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material chalked. (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Rear Rear suspension components have corrosion to them.

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Both rear tyres cracked/perished. (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 13 Jan 2024 72,468 miles

General corrosion over rear suspension components

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Heavily cracked and perished also worn on outer edge (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Nearside wing mirror unit loose

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing heavily cracked and perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Fail 10 Jan 2024 72,466 miles

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

Nearside Rear Outer Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill corroded and holed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

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

General corrosion over rear suspension components

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Heavily cracked and perished also worn on outer edge (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Nearside wing mirror unit loose

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing heavily cracked and perished (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

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

Pass 23 Apr 2021 71,530 miles

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

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside nearside wing mirror unit loose

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

coolant level on minimum mark

Pass 7 Dec 2019 70,973 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement D bush near excessive. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside door mirror unit loose but still secure.

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear at rear.painted,(inspection) (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement bushes. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive possible oil filter. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear rear axle corroded.

Fail 4 Dec 2019 70,971 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Inner Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement D bush near excessive. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside door mirror unit loose but still secure.

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material front to rear at rear.painted,(inspection) (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Lower Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement bushes. (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive possible oil filter. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear rear axle corroded.

Fail 7 Nov 2019 70,960 miles

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

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

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

Corrosion to inner sills

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

Nearside Front Tyre worn on outer edge

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

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

Nearside Rear Corrosion to floor

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Foremost bush, close to excessive (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

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

Pass 11 Sep 2018 69,515 miles

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

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

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/valve stem damaged valve stem cracking (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Fail 8 Sep 2018 69,490 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Cut in tread (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

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

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

Corrosion to rear inner and outer sills

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

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

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

Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated weaping grease (6.1.7 (g) (i))

Offside Front Outer sill split outside of prescribed area

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/valve stem damaged valve stem cracking (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

corrosion to front inner and outer sills

Pass 29 Aug 2017 67,497 miles

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

Offside Front jacking point corroded

Offside Rear Outer sill corrodeding

Offside headlight poor beam pattern condensation

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

corrosion to both rear inner sills

Pass 25 Aug 2016 65,640 miles

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

corrosion to both rear inner sills

corrosion to offside outer sill

Pass 26 Aug 2015 64,657 miles
Fail 25 Aug 2015 64,655 miles

Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Pass 30 Aug 2014 63,203 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Oil leak

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

Pass 5 Sep 2013 60,045 miles

see previous test for advisories

Fail 4 Sep 2013 60,033 miles

Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Upper Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Anti-lock braking system component excessively damaged (3.4.2)

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

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

N/S/F tyre getting low

N/S/R tyre shows signs of run flat

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

Oil leak

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

all meatal brake pipes slightly corroded

rear brake discs poor condition

Fail 31 Aug 2012 55,291 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside mirror insecure.

Offside Front Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

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

Rear brake discs badly corroded.

Some light underbody and suspension component corrosion.

Pass 31 Aug 2012 55,291 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside mirror insecure.

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

Rear brake discs badly corroded.

Some light underbody and suspension component corrosion.

Pass 1 Feb 2011 51,595 miles

all tyre pressures very low

steering rack sounds notchy

Fail 25 Jan 2011 51,564 miles

Nearside Rear Parking brake lever is impeded in its travel (3.1.6c)

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

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

all tyre pressures very low

steering rack sounds notchy

Pass 27 Jan 2010 46,596 miles
Fail 21 Jan 2010 46,581 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Pass 5 Nov 2008 40,051 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 27 Oct 2007 33,125 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Fail 27 Oct 2007 33,125 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 17 Oct 2006 27,707 miles

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

Pass 17 Oct 2005 22,667 miles

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

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

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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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

S81 AFG is a 1998 Ford Cougar in Blue with a 1,998cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 60.7%.

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 S81 AFG, 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 S81 AFG?

You can check the full history of S81 AFG by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S81 AFG registered?

S81 AFG is a 1998 Ford Cougar, first registered on 16 October 1998.

Is S81 AFG safe to buy?

The MOT history for S81 AFG shows 28 tests with a 60.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S81 AFG 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 S81 AFG. 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.