Official DVLA Record

1997 Volvo 900 Series 2.3L Petrol · P552 CTY

P552 CTY

1997 Volvo 900 Series (2.3L, petrol). First registered 01/05/1997. Recorded mileage 234,399 miles. MOT status: Expired.

Make & Model
VOLVO 900 Series
Year / Origin
1997 · Preston
MOT Status
Valid until 06/09/2026
Road Tax
Untaxed (01/09/2026)
Recorded Mileage
234,399 mi
ULEZ Compliance
Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
Fuel & Engine
PETROL · 2.3L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Expired
Valid until 06/09/2026
Tax Status
Untaxed
Tax due 01/09/2026
Fuel Type
PETROL
Year
1997
Engine
2316cc

P552 CTY Key Findings

  • 3 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 08/09/2025
  • 234,399 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 1 historical MOT failure
  • 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring suspension items (10 mentions)

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

MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
40
/ 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 (67%)
✗ 1 dangerous defects found recently
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 P552CTY

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

May be subject to ULEZ charges

Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence

Estimate current market value

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

P552 CTY Mileage History

  1. 03/11/2023234,335 mi
  2. 07/08/2024234,340 mi+5 mi
  3. 08/09/2025234,399 mi+59 mi

Average of roughly 35 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.

P552 CTY MOT History

Live data last synced with DVSA: 6 Sept 2026, 15:48
MOT Analysis

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

3 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Volvo 900 Series (P552 CTY) between November 2023 and September 2025.

The record contains 2 passes and 1 failure.

The most recent test on 08 September 2025 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: Suspension (10 issues), Brakes (6 issues), Bodywork (3 issues), Windscreen (2 issues), Lighting (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 15 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: “Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced center under sill area (7.1.1 (”; “Central Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength ce”; “Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength ce”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

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

Buying Score
35/100
Risk Level
High
High
Est. Annual Cost
£1,800-£2,400
Mileage
The recorded mileage of 234,399 is very ...

Our Verdict

Approach this vehicle with extreme cauti

If you are considering this Volvo, you must prioritise a professional underside inspection. The 2023 MOT failure noted extensive corrosion and welding repairs to the underbody and sill areas, and the 2024 record highlighted corrosion across almost all major suspension and sub-frame components. You should ask for specific documentation regarding the 'extensive welding repairs' mentioned in 2023 to understand the extent of previous structural work.

Negotiate based on the potential for future structural failure. Even though the 2024 corrosion was noted as 'not seriously weakened,' the sheer volume of affected parts—including the engine sump, brake pipes, and coil springs—suggests a vehicle prone to degradation. Ensure all recent repairs, particularly those related to the power steering noise and brake binding noted in previous years, have been addressed by a specialist.

Running costs for this 2.3L petrol model will be relatively high due to its age and engine size. Expect higher-than-average fuel consumption typical of late-90s large saloons. Tax and insurance groups will depend on the specific policy, but the 2316cc engine size will influence these costs.

Maintenance costs are likely to be significant. Given the history of corroded brake pipes, suspension arms, and sub-frames, you should budget for frequent replacement of wear items and potential structural repairs. An estimated annual running cost, including fuel, tax, insurance, and maintenance, would likely fall in the range of £1,800-£2,400, depending heavily on how often structural or mechanical issues arise.

A thorough inspection of the chassis and underbody is non-negotiable. Specifically, check the central x-member and the suspension component mounting areas, as these were flagged in 2023 for significantly reduced structural strength. Examine the sub-frames and suspension arms for the corrosion noted in the 2024 MOT.

Additionally, inspect the braking system. The history shows a pattern of both corroded brake pipes and binding brakes across multiple years. Check the condition of the shock absorbers and coil springs, as these have been noted as corroded or having reduced damping in recent tests. Finally, verify the integrity of the windscreen and ensure the battery is securely mounted, as these were recent points of concern.

This 1997 Volvo 900 Series, finished in silver, has covered 234,399 miles as of its last MOT in September 2025. While it passed its most recent test, the vehicle has a documented history of severe structural issues, including extensive welding repairs and significant corrosion to the sub-frames and suspension mounting points. The mileage is high, and the MOT record shows a pattern of recurring mechanical and structural concerns.

No aggregate reliability data is available for the Volvo 900 Series to provide a general model comparison.

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