DVLA verified
MOT valid
Tax valid

1987 BEDFORD 97.7902.0L PETROL

D257 VPM

Vehicle Insight Summary

Free vehicle summary for D257 VPM: 1987 BEDFORD 97.790 (WHITE, PETROL). Mileage: 48,741. MOT: valid. Tax: taxed.

MOT
Valid
Expires 11/09/2026
Tax
Taxed
Expires 01/03/2027
Powered by Experian Data
£8.99
Check outstanding finance, stolen records, write-off categories & mileage anomalies.
Instant results • £20,000 data guarantee • Same data source as HPI
Fuel
PETROL
Year
1987
Engine
1979cc
Expert AI · Mechanic's Insight
The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a concerning trend regarding structural integrity and mechanical neglect. While the car passed its September 2025 test at 48,741 miles, it followed a critical failure in September 2024 due to excessive corrosion on the front suspension mounting areas. Although these specific structural faults were addressed to allow a subsequent pass, the persistent presence of light underside corrosion and a recurring oil leak suggests that the vehicle is in a state of active degradation rather than proactive preservation. With a total of 48,741 miles over 39 years, the Bedford averages an exceptionally low 1,250 miles per year. The data shows long periods of static storage; for instance, only 5 miles were recorded between the September 2024 and September 2025 tests. This low-use pattern often correlates with age-related failure of rubber components, which is evidenced by the deteriorating brake hoses, missing steering rack gaiters, and shock absorbers noted between 2023 and 2025. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the structural integrity, specifically focusing on the front suspension mounts that previously failed the 2024 test. The tester flagged imbalanced front brakes in the most recent inspection, indicating that the braking system is suffering from sticking calipers or uneven piston wear which requires immediate mechanical attention. The persistent oil leak, which has been noted since at least 2022, should be identified to ensure it is not masking a significant engine or gearbox seal failure.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

Free vehicle health score

85
/ 100 · Good

Public record health check: Good.

Based on free DVLA & DVSA signals. Premium checks for stolen/finance/write-off history are locked below.

✓ Valid MOT
✓ Taxed
✓ Good MOT pass rate (80%)
! Older vehicle
A score of 85 doesn't mean it's safe to buy. Private markers don't appear in public data.
Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for D257VPM

Data provided by Experian
Stolen
Locked
Finance
Locked
Write-off
Locked
Salvage
Locked
Imported
Locked
Exported
Locked
Scrapped
Locked
Destruction
Locked
V5C Logbook
Locked
Powered by Experian Data

Premium Vehicle History Data Locked

Unlock the full report to reveal outstanding finance agreements, police stolen markers, insurance write-off categories (Cat A/B/C/D/S/N), mileage anomaly checks, and plate changes.

Instant results • £20,000 data guarantee • Same data source as HPI

Data provided by Experian

Technical Specifications

AI Intelligence

What's this car worth today?

Get an instant, AI-powered valuation based on live market data, this exact model, and recent auction results.

Full MOT History

Live data last synced with DVSA: 4 Jun 2026, 08:47
Expert AI · Mechanic's Insight
The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a concerning trend regarding structural integrity and mechanical neglect. While the car passed its September 2025 test at 48,741 miles, it followed a critical failure in September 2024 due to excessive corrosion on the front suspension mounting areas. Although these specific structural faults were addressed to allow a subsequent pass, the persistent presence of light underside corrosion and a recurring oil leak suggests that the vehicle is in a state of active degradation rather than proactive preservation. With a total of 48,741 miles over 39 years, the Bedford averages an exceptionally low 1,250 miles per year. The data shows long periods of static storage; for instance, only 5 miles were recorded between the September 2024 and September 2025 tests. This low-use pattern often correlates with age-related failure of rubber components, which is evidenced by the deteriorating brake hoses, missing steering rack gaiters, and shock absorbers noted between 2023 and 2025. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the structural integrity, specifically focusing on the front suspension mounts that previously failed the 2024 test. The tester flagged imbalanced front brakes in the most recent inspection, indicating that the braking system is suffering from sticking calipers or uneven piston wear which requires immediate mechanical attention. The persistent oil leak, which has been noted since at least 2022, should be identified to ensure it is not masking a significant engine or gearbox seal failure.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

AI Analysis · MOT Narrative

This 1987 Bedford 97.790 (D257 VPM) has a recorded MOT history spanning from September 2022 to September 2025, with 5 MOT tests on record.

Across its entire MOT history, this Bedford has a 80% success rate (4 passes and 1 fails). This is a strong MOT track record, suggesting the vehicle has been well-maintained.

The most commonly flagged areas across all MOT tests are: Brakes (5 issues), Windscreen (4 issues), Suspension (4 issues), Tyres (3 issues), Lighting (3 issues). These areas are worth paying attention to when inspecting this vehicle.

There are 25 advisory notices in the MOT history. Advisories are not failures but indicate areas that may need attention in the future.

A total of 3 failure items have been recorded across all tests. Recent failure items include: “Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural stren”; “Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural stre”; “Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))”.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY