1931 Fowler Steam Steam · YD 1601
1931 Fowler Steam (steam). First registered 01/02/1931. MOT status: Expired.
- Fuel Type
- STEAM
- Year
- 1931
- Engine
- ---
AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
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: 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.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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
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”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
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
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (YD16 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as YD1601.
SKODA
OCTAVIA
SKODA
OCTAVIA
SKODA
OCTAVIA
SKODA
OCTAVIA
SKODA
OCTAVIA
SKODA
OCTAVIA
SKODA
SUPERB
SKODA
YETI
SKODA
OCTAVIA
SKODA
FABIA
SKODA
SUPERB
SKODA
SUPERB