1998 Dodge (usa) RAM 4.7L Petrol · P6 JFR

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile characterized by a trend of reactive rather than proactive maintenance. While it passed its most recent test in August 2025 at 162,500 miles, the failure just one month prior at 162,473 miles reveals a significant backlog of mechanical neglect. The transition from a catastrophic failure involving brakes, suspension and structure to a pass suggests that the vehicle was only repaired when legally compelled to do so, indicating an unstable maintenance pattern where faults are ignored between inspections. At 28 years old, the recorded mileage of 162,500 miles represents a low annual average of approximately 5,800 miles. However, the data shows a notable gap in activity between September 2023 and September 2024, where the vehicle covered only 1,752 miles in a year. This low usage likely explains the degradation of rubber-based components, as evidenced by the perished tyres and chafed brake hoses noted in the 2025 records, which fail due to age and exposure rather than tread wear. A buyer must prioritise a thorough inspection of the structural integrity, specifically the inner and outer sills. The history shows a progression from significant structural corrosion in 2023 to a repaired state noted in 2025, requiring verification that the repair is structurally sound and not merely cosmetic. The suspension system also shows a history of wear, with torsion bar bushes, upper arm ball joints, and anti-roll bar linkages flagged in recent tests. These components should be checked for remaining play or perished boots to prevent immediate return. The braking system requires critical attention following the July 2025 failure for inoperative parking brakes with under 50% efficiency and imbalanced braking across the axle. Given the recurring reports of chafed brake hoses and lagging calipers, the entire hydraulic system and assembly should be inspected for leaks or seized pistons. Additionally, the frayed driver seat belt and steering box play noted in 2024 suggest that secondary safety-critical items have also been overlooked by previous owners.