Official DVLA Record

1931 Fowler Steam Steam · YD 1601

YD 1601

1931 Fowler Steam (steam). First registered 01/02/1931. MOT status: Expired.

MOT Status
Expired
Valid until 31/12/2023
Tax Status
Untaxed
Tax due 01/07/2026
Fuel Type
STEAM
Year
1931
Engine
---
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 currently holds a roadworthy status, but the maintenance history reveals a period of significant structural instability. While the most recent test on December 5, 2022 passed with no recorded defects, this followed two immediate failures on the same day regarding critical structural components. The trend suggests that while major repairs were addressed to meet compliance standards, the nature of the faults indicates the structural integrity of the frame was a point of concern during that period. Data regarding vehicle usage is entirely absent, making it impossible to determine the rate of wear on mechanical components. Without mileage readings to compare the 2021 and 2022 tests, the operational intensity cannot be assessed. This lack of information is common for vintage or specialist machinery, but it prevents an evaluation of whether the mechanical systems are subjected to heavy load or remained static for long durations. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the structural integrity of the chassis and outrriggers. The failures in late 2022 specifically identified a fracture on the offside front main member and excess corrosion on the centre rear cross member near axle three. These are serious load-bearing issues that require expert scrutiny to ensure the repairs were executed with sound structural welding or reinforcements rather than merely cosmetic fixes. Focus should also be placed on signs of recurring corrosion or stress cracking where the cross members were previously flagged. Since the vehicle failed for structural defects twice within a short window in 2022, the metal may be suffering from advanced fatigue or oxidation. Inspect the joints and mounting points for the three axles to ensure no further deformation or deep rust has developed since the last pass.

YD 1601 Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 05/12/2022
  • 2 historical MOT failures
  • No defects recorded at the latest MOT
  • Recurring steering items (2 mentions)

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

MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
50
/ 100 · Below Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average

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
✓ Taxed
! Average MOT pass rate (60%)
! Older vehicle
Experian Provenance Check

Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for YD1601

Data provided by Experian
Stolen
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Finance
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Write-off
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Salvage
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Imported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Exported
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Scrapped
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
Destruction
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
V5C Logbook
EXPERIAN
Available in full check
£20,000 Experian Data Guarantee Included

Verify Outstanding Finance & Provenance Before Buying

Free DVLA records only confirm roadworthiness. Protect yourself against active finance repossession, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage fraud with an official Experian check.

✓ One-off payment (no subscription)✓ Instant on screen + PDF emailed✓ Official Experian registry✓ Apple Pay / Google Pay / Cards

Data provided by Experian

Technical Specifications

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

Estimate current market value

Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.

YD 1601 MOT History

Live data last synced with DVSA: 21 Jul 2026, 01:21
MOT Analysis

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

5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1931 Fowler Steam (YD 1601) between October 2021 and December 2022.

The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.

The most recent test on 05 December 2022 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Steering (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

Recorded failure items include: “offside front Any main or cross member or outrigger which has a load restraining device attached: fractured, cracked, co”; “centre rear Any main or cross member or outrigger which has a load restraining device attached: fractured, cracked, corr”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

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

Buying Score
65/100
Risk Level
High
High
Est. Annual Cost
£2,000-£5,000
Mileage
Mileage is not recorded for this vehicle...

Our Verdict

Proceed with caution and a specialist inspection. While this 1931 Fowler is a rare piece of steam heritage, the recent MOT history reveals significant structural concerns regarding the chassis.

Given the fuel type is steam, you must ensure the boiler has a current, valid certification and that the previous owner can provide detailed maintenance logs for the pressure vessel. This is not a standard vehicle purchase; you will need a specialist steam engineer to verify the integrity of the boiler and the quality of the chassis repairs.

Negotiate the price based on the evidence of structural corrosion. The 2022 failures indicate that the chassis has suffered from significant degradation, and you should request documentation on how the 'fractured, cracked, or corroded' members were repaired—whether they were patched or fully replaced.

Running costs for a steam vehicle are atypical and generally high. Fuel costs involve sourcing specific coal or biomass, and water consumption is constant. You will also face high insurance premiums due to the vehicle's rarity and the specialised nature of the risk.

Maintenance is the primary cost driver. Regular boiler inspections, lubrication of numerous moving parts, and the ongoing battle against chassis corrosion (as seen in the MOT history) mean annual costs will be significantly higher than a conventional vintage car.

Focus your inspection on the chassis and load-bearing structures. The MOT history specifically flags the 'offside front' and 'centre rear' cross members near axle three as having been fractured or corroded. Ensure these repairs are structurally sound and not merely cosmetic covers.

Additionally, inspect the red paintwork for signs of bubbling, which may indicate further underlying corrosion in the bodywork. Check all steam pipes, valves, and the boiler for leaks or signs of scale build-up, as these are critical to the vehicle's operational safety.

This red 1931 Fowler steam vehicle represents a unique acquisition for a collector, though its condition is mixed. The MOT history from 2022 shows a pattern of structural failures, specifically involving fractured or corroded cross members. Despite these issues being resolved to pass the tests, they highlight the ongoing maintenance challenges of a vehicle of this age.

No aggregate data is available for this model, but its age and steam propulsion make it inherently high-maintenance compared to internal combustion vehicles.

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