The most recent MOT, conducted on 22 October 2014 at 36,290 miles, passed with zero defects recorded. That certificate is now over eleven years old, meaning the vehicle has no verified roadworthiness status under current DVSA standards. The maintenance trend across the full record is broadly stable, with only minor advisories noted in the 2014 February test. Both nearside and offside rear anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust covers were flagged as deteriorated or damaged, though still preventing the ingress of dirt at that time. No further defects appeared in the subsequent October 2014 test, suggesting either a repair or that the issue was not deemed progressive by the tester. The overall pattern indicates a well-kept vehicle with minimal recurring faults, but the absence of any test since late 2014 leaves significant uncertainty about its present mechanical and structural condition.
The mileage accumulation is exceptionally low for a vehicle of this age. Between the March 2011 test at 34,011 miles and the October 2014 test at 36,290 miles, the vehicle covered just 2,279 miles over roughly three and a half years. That equates to approximately 650 miles per annum during the recorded period, and the total recorded mileage of 36,290 miles across roughly seventy years of existence suggests an average of only around 518 miles per year. Such low usage can preserve drivetrain and suspension components in terms of mechanical wear, but prolonged periods of standing introduce their own risks. Seals, gaskets, brake callipers, and tyres can deteriorate from age and inactivity rather than from use. The lack of recent mileage data after October 2014 makes it impossible to confirm whether the vehicle has remained stationary or has been used since.
A buyer should treat this vehicle as untested by modern standards and commission a thorough independent inspection before any purchase. The rear anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust covers were the only components flagged in the history, and while the defect did not recur, the age of the rubber components means they will almost certainly have perished further over the past decade. Suspension bushes, coil springs, and dampers should be examined closely for deterioration, particularly given the likelihood of long stationary periods. Brake discs, callipers, and flexible hoses demand careful scrutiny, as binding and corrosion are common in vehicles that sit unused. Tyres must be checked for date codes and sidewall cracking regardless of remaining tread depth. Fuel system integrity, including tank condition and flexible fuel lines, should also be verified, as stale fuel and ethanol-blended modern petrol can cause significant damage to older systems.
Structural integrity is the most critical area of concern for a vehicle of this age and value. The body mountings, subframes, and load-bearing sections of the chassis should be inspected for corrosion, particularly in areas where moisture accumulates during long periods of storage. Exhaust system condition, steering box free play, and kingpin wear should also be assessed. The clean MOT history is encouraging but reflects a snapshot from over eleven years ago. Without a current test, the buyer is relying entirely on the care of previous owners and the passage of time, neither of which can be assumed to have been kind to a vehicle that has likely spent much of its recent life stationary.