1997 TOYOTA LUCIDA2.2L Diesel

The latest MOT on 2025‑10‑16 at 294,291 miles failed, yet the tester recorded no defects. This lone failure, coupled with two earlier failures in 2023, indicates an unstable maintenance trend. The vehicle has passed every other test, but the intermittent failures suggest that procedural or minor compliance issues may recur. Overall, roadworthiness cannot be deemed consistently reliable. Mileage accumulation is typical for a 29‑year‑old car. Between 2023‑01‑19 (287,696 miles) and 2023‑12‑13 (294,094 miles) the car logged 6,398 miles in 11 months, a normal annual figure of roughly 10,148 miles. A brief spike of 283 miles in the 12 days between 2023‑01‑19 and 2023‑01‑31 shows a period of heavy use, but the following year’s mileage growth slowed to 147 miles over 11 months, and only 54 miles between 2024‑11‑07 and 2025‑10‑16. The record is sparse yet clean, with no defects noted in the passed tests. A prospective buyer should examine components that commonly trigger MOT failures and that may have contributed to the recorded failures. Inspect the brake system – discs, pads, calipers and hydraulic lines – for wear or binding. Check the suspension bushings and coil springs for cracking or excessive play. Verify steering linkage, rack and pinion, and wheel bearings for smooth operation. Examine tyre tread depth and sidewall integrity, as well as wiper blades and fluid levels. Confirm the exhaust system is free of leaks and corrosion, and inspect the vehicle’s structural panels for rust, especially around the chassis and wheel arches. Even though the MOT record shows no defects, the repeated failures warrant a thorough visual and functional check to ensure that all components meet UK roadworthiness standards.