1997 Ford Mondeo 1.8L Diesel · R572 DFL

The roadworthiness of this vehicle is currently questionable due to the lack of a valid MOT. While the most recent recorded test on 14 September 2022 at 197,659 miles resulted in a failure with no specific defects listed, the car has not undergone an inspection in nearly four years. The maintenance trend shows a period of stagnation where the vehicle remained at the same mileage between 2020 and 2022, suggesting it was either used sparingly or laid off during this interval. The mileage data indicates a complete cessation of road use over the last several years. Between August 2020 and September 2022, the car covered only six miles, moving from 197,653 to 197,659. This departure from the historical average of 6,816 miles per year for a 29-year-old Ford suggests the vehicle likely sat stationary for long periods. Such periods of inactivity often lead to the degradation of rubber components, seized brake calipers, and fluid contamination, which are not always captured in low-mileage tests. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the chassis and suspension components for structural corrosion. Given the age of the vehicle and the long period of standing, the integrity of the sills and wing arches is a primary concern. You should also check for perished brake hoses, dry tyres, and seized suspension bushes that result from lack of movement. Because the last failure occurred in 2022, there is no data regarding the current state of the exhaust system or engine emissions, making a fresh mechanical teardown essential before any purchase.