Official DVLA Record

1997 Vauxhall Frontera 2.0L Petrol · R870 ADV

R870 ADV

1997 Vauxhall Frontera (2.0L, petrol). First registered 13/10/1997. Recorded mileage 99,709 miles. MOT status: Expired.

Make & Model
VAUXHALL FRONTERA
Year / Origin
1997 · Reading
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Valid until 06/08/2023
Road Tax
—
Recorded Mileage
99,709 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 2.0L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Expired
Valid until 06/08/2023
Tax Status
Check Tax
Click to check rates
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
1997
Engine
1998cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle’s most recent MOT on 2022-08-08 at 99,709 miles recorded a pass with no defects, but the absence of any subsequent tests—over four years later—raises concerns about its current roadworthiness. Previous tests from 2020 and 2019 show a pattern of passing and failing without recorded defects, suggesting inconsistent compliance rather than escalating issues. The lack of recent data means critical components like suspension, brakes, and exhaust systems cannot be verified for deterioration since 2022. The vehicle’s mileage of 99,709 miles over 29 years equates to approximately 3,438 miles annually, significantly below average for its age. This low usage could indicate periods of inactivity, increasing risks of corrosion, fluid degradation, or seized mechanisms. The MOT history shows minimal gaps between tests, with the 2022-07-25 failure occurring just 13 days before the subsequent pass, implying potential minor issues resolved quickly. However, the absence of detailed defect reports limits insight into underlying trends. A buyer should prioritise inspecting the suspension for worn bushes or coil springs, as low mileage may mask age-related fatigue. Brake systems, including calipers and discs, require scrutiny for corrosion or uneven wear, while the exhaust and structural integrity should be checked for rust. The lack of recent MOT data necessitates a thorough pre-purchase inspection, particularly under the chassis and mechanical components, to confirm the vehicle’s current condition beyond the 2022 records.

R870 ADV Key Findings

  • 2 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 08/08/2022
  • 99,709 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 1 historical MOT failure
  • 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring lighting items (10 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
25
/ 100 · Poor
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Poor

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

✗ MOT Expired or Failed
! Tax Status Unknown
! Average MOT pass rate (50%)
✗ 2 dangerous defects found recently
! Older vehicle
Experian Provenance Check

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Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for R870ADV

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Stolen
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Finance
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Write-off
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Salvage
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Imported
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Exported
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Scrapped
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Destruction
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R870 ADV Mileage History

  1. 25/07/202299,704 mi
  2. 08/08/202299,709 mi+5 mi

Average of roughly 130 miles per year across 2 recorded odometer readings.

R870 ADV MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 22 Sept 2026, 13:31
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

2 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Vauxhall Frontera (R870 ADV) between July 2022 and August 2022.

The record contains 1 pass and 1 failure.

The most recent test on 08 August 2022 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (10 issues), Brakes (3 issues), Windscreen (2 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues), Steering (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 4 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.

Recorded failure items include: “Emissions not tested loss of coolant (8.2.1.2 (d))”; “Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding rear discs corroded & worn (1.2.1 (f))”; “Rear Prop shaft joint excessively worn prop u/j (6.1.7 (c) (i))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
45/100
Risk Level
Medium
Medium
Est. Annual Cost
£900-£1,200
Mileage
At 99,709 miles recorded in August 2022,...

Our Verdict

Approach this 1997 Vauxhall Frontera with caution due to its repeated MOT failures on consecutive days before eventual passes. The low annual mileage is a positive, but the lack of recorded defect details on failure certificates means underlying issues may be undocumented.

Given the MOT failures on 2020-12-01 and 2022-07-25 with passes the next day (2020) and two weeks later (2022), insist on seeing the full failure advisories from the testing station, as the provided data shows 'No defects recorded' which is unusual for a failure and may indicate incomplete records. Negotiate on price to reflect the age, the twin failure events, and the absence of model-level reliability data; budget for potential hidden corrosion or mechanical issues common to 1990s 4x4s. Request complete service history and proof of regular maintenance, as the gaps between MOTs (over 20 months from Nov 2019 to Dec 2020) suggest infrequent use that can lead to perished seals and flat spots on tyres.

As a 1997 petrol 2.0-litre SUV, this Frontera will fall into older road tax bands with comparatively high fuel consumption for its modest performance; expect low double-digit mpg around town and low 30s on a run. Insurance group is likely low due to age and value, but parts for a discontinued model can be scarce and specialist labour rates may apply. Estimated annual running cost including fuel, tax, insurance and basic maintenance is approximately £900-£1,200, though this excludes any major repairs arising from its age.

Inspect the vehicle thoroughly for structural corrosion, a known weak point on 1990s body-on-frame 4x4s, especially around chassis rails, sills and suspension mounts, since the MOT failures recorded no defects yet still failed. Check the 1998cc petrol engine for cold-start behaviour, oil leaks and cooling system condition given the 20-month layup between 2019 and 2020 tests. Verify the odometer reading of 99,709 miles against service stamps and the two failure mileages (97,517 and 99,704) to confirm consistency and rule out clocking.

This white 1998cc petrol Vauxhall Frontera registered in October 1997 (R870ADV) shows a mixed MOT history with two instances of failure followed by pass within one to two days in 2020 and 2022. Recorded mileage is modest for a 28-year-old vehicle, rising from 91,158 in November 2019 to 99,709 by August 2022. No aggregate model reliability data is available, so assessment relies solely on the individual history provided.

No aggregate MOT reliability data is available for the Vauxhall Frontera, so no model-wide reliability reputation can be stated from the provided information.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns