1989 Dodge 3.0L Petrol · F770 OER

The vehicle’s most recent MOT test on 2025-03-07 passed without recorded defects, though it follows an unusual pattern of two consecutive failures in early 2025 and early 2023—both without specific faults logged. This inconsistency suggests either administrative errors in the MOT process or a vehicle that narrowly avoided serious issues during testing. The lack of recurring advisories or defects in the last two tests implies no obvious mechanical degradation, but the abrupt failures warrant scrutiny of components that might have been close to failure thresholds at those times. The most recent test is just over 17 months old, which is within the standard MOT validity period, but the irregular failures raise questions about whether critical systems were overlooked or if the vehicle was driven between tests in a way that avoided immediate failure. The recorded mileage of 186,949 miles over approximately 37 years equates to around 5,053 miles per year, a figure unusually low for a vehicle of this age. The gap between the 2024 and 2025 tests—just over a year—shows no rapid mileage accumulation, which might suggest the vehicle was either stored for extended periods or used very lightly. The lack of mileage progression between the 2023 failures (just five days apart) is particularly notable, as it implies the vehicle was not in regular use during that window. This pattern could indicate neglect, but it also means consumable components like tyres, brakes, and fluids may have experienced less wear than expected for a vehicle of this age. Given the irregular MOT failures and the vehicle’s age, a buyer should prioritise an independent inspection of the suspension system, particularly the condition of coil springs, bushes, and shock absorbers, as these components degrade over time and may not always trigger MOT failures until they are severely compromised. The braking system should be thoroughly checked for uneven wear, binding calipers, or corrosion on brake discs and callipers, especially since the failures occurred without specific faults being logged. Structural integrity is another critical area—rust penetration in the chassis, sills, or subframe could pose long-term risks, even if not immediately visible. Finally, the exhaust system and emissions components should be examined for leaks or excessive corrosion, as these are common failure points in older vehicles that may not always be caught during a standard MOT.