1997 Toyota Carina 1.8L Petrol · P502 DPD

The vehicle currently holds a roadworthy status, but the maintenance history indicates a pattern of reactive repairs. While the most recent MOT test on 10 January 2026 at 196,369 miles passed without defects, this followed a failure just four days prior at the same mileage. This suggests that the owner is addressing specific faults only when prompted by a failure rather than following a preventative maintenance schedule. The trend remains unstable, as the car has consistently failed to pass on the first attempt over the last year. At 196,369 miles over 29 years, the Carina has averaged approximately 6,771 miles per year, which aligns with typical annual usage for a vehicle of this age. The data shows a recent burst of activity between late 2024 and early 2026, with over 6,000 miles covered in a fourteen-month period. This recent accumulation suggests the vehicle is currently in regular use, placing consistent stress on aging drivetrain and suspension components. The consistency in mileage between the failures and passes indicates the vehicle was likely stationary or driven minimally immediately around the recorded failures. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection focusing on structural integrity and rubber components. Given the age of the 1997 model, corrosion is a priority at the sills, floor pans, and suspension mounting points, as these areas often degrade until they become critical. The recurring failures without recorded defects in the digital log suggest minor issues such as bulbs, wipers, or exhaust emissions that are being rectified immediately before a retest. Inspect the suspension bushes for signs of perishing and check the condition of the brake calipers to ensure that the recent pass is not masking underlying mechanical wear that will soon trigger another failure.