The most recent MOT record dates from October 2006, meaning this 1998 Fiat Brava has held no certified roadworthiness status for nearly twenty years as of June 2026. The vehicle last passed on 13 October 2006 at 123,178 miles, but even that pass was marginal, carrying advisories for a slightly discoloured direction indicator, a partially obscured stop lamp, slightly corroded brake pipes, and a minor exhaust gas leak. The day before, the same car had failed with significantly more serious faults, including an excessively pitted front brake disc, excessively corroded brake pipes, an offside rear brake recording little or no effort, a deteriorated wiper blade, an insecure offside obligatory mirror, a non-functioning horn, and a parking brake operating below required efficiency. The fact that so many defects were resolved within 24 hours suggests urgent repairs were carried out to secure a pass rather than a pattern of sustained, methodical upkeep.
The mileage record tells a sparse but telling story. Between the October 2005 test at 114,709 miles and the October 2006 tests at 123,173 to 123,178 miles, the car covered approximately 8,469 miles in twelve months. After that point, the recorded mileage flatlines at 123,178 with no further MOT entries. For a vehicle now roughly 28 years old, the total recorded mileage of 123,178 equates to an average of about 4,399 miles per year, which is notably low. Combined with the two-decade gap in testing, this suggests the car has either been standing unused for extended periods or has been driven without valid MOT certification, both of which raise serious concerns about the condition of perishable components such as rubber seals, brake fluid, tyres, and flexible hoses.
A buyer inspecting this vehicle in person should pay particular attention to the braking system, which was the primary area of concern across both 2006 tests. The front brake disc was excessively pitted and the rear offside brake was recording minimal effort, while brake pipes showed corrosion ranging from slight to excessive. Even if these were addressed for the pass, two decades of potential storage mean calipers may have seized, discs may have corroded beyond service limits, and rubber brake hoses may have perished internally without visible external signs. The exhaust system also warrants close examination, given the recurring minor gas leak advisory, which could have progressed to a full fracture or dangerous fume ingress into the cabin over time.
Beyond the brakes and exhaust, the insecure mirror and non-functioning horn from the 2006 failure point to a general neglect of basic safety checks. The corroded brake pipes flagged across all three recorded tests, including the 2005 pass, suggest a long-standing vulnerability to moisture ingress and structural deterioration underneath the car. Any prospective buyer should have the vehicle lifted to inspect subframes, sills, and suspension mounting points for advanced corrosion, check all fluid systems for degradation, and treat the two-decade MOT gap as a red flag demanding a thorough independent inspection before any road use is considered.