The most recent MOT, dated 16 June 2017 at 933,401 miles, resulted in a pass, but the record reveals a worsening maintenance trend rather than a stable or improving one. Just three days earlier, on 13 June 2017, the same vehicle failed with an engine oil leak and a service brake efficiency below requirements. The tester also flagged an engine oil leak as an advisory during the subsequent pass. This pattern indicates the braking system required immediate attention to meet the minimum standard, and the persistent oil leak was already being noted as a developing issue rather than a one-off fix.
The mileage data is highly unusual and warrants careful scrutiny. Between 2012 and 2017, the recorded mileage jumped from 130,858 to 933,401, an increase of over 800,000 miles in five years, which is physically implausible for a single vehicle. The 2017 pass shows 933,401 miles, yet the 2017 fail lists 93,392 miles, suggesting a clerometer discrepancy or potential odometer tampering. Prior to 2017, the vehicle appears to have been largely unused for years, with only 690 miles covered between the August 2011 and October 2012 tests. The record is too sparse to establish a reliable service history, and the mileage figures cannot be taken at face value without independent verification.
A buyer should treat this vehicle with extreme caution. The repeated engine oil leak advisories point to deteriorating gaskets or seals that could lead to low oil pressure and catastrophic engine damage if ignored. The 2017 failure for brake efficiency below requirements, combined with a 2011 failure for brake imbalance, suggests the braking system has a history of poor performance, potentially from corroded lines, seized calipers, or worn master cylinder components. The 2011 failure also cited a major exhaust gas leak and excessively deteriorated exhaust components, indicating long-term exposure to corrosion.
Given the 55-year age and questionable mileage history, a thorough inspection of structural integrity is essential. The chassis, floor pans, and suspension mounting points should be examined for advanced corrosion, particularly around the subframes and jacking points. Suspension bushes and coil springs will likely be perished from age regardless of mileage. The entire braking system should be pressure-tested and the exhaust system checked for integrity. Without a credible service record or consistent mileage progression, this vehicle presents significant mechanical and structural risk to any prospective buyer.