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Free MOT history checks with mileage analysis, red flags and a plain-English condition report for any UK car or van.

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. RegFlags uses MOT, recall and licensing data. It does not check outstanding finance, theft or insurance write-offs. Vehicle data by VehiclesDB.A Steady Circuit product
This is a sample report for a real vehicle with its registration changed. Run your own check for free from the home page.
AB58 CDE

Volkswagen Touran

17 years old
Petrol
1.6L
Grey
First registered 30 Oct 2008
2 red
2 amber
1 green
RegFlags Rating
BANGERBARGAIN
0/100

Fair

MOT

Valid to 7 Feb 2027

Expires in 5 months

Mileage

179,051 mi

≈ 184,207 today

First-time passes

8 of 15

53% pass rate

Recall

Not known

Official recall check

ULEZ (estimate)

Likely OK

Official checker

Still on the road

61,038

66% of peak (2026 Q1)

RegFlags Breakdown

What this car's MOT record says, in plain English.

Summary
AI-assisted · checked against the MOT record

This 2008 Volkswagen Touran has a valid MOT until 2027, but its history is marked by significant mechanical wear and three dangerous defects recorded in the last five years. The car has very high mileage, sitting in the top 10% for similar vehicles, yet the mileage record is consistent with no signs of tampering. While the latest test was passed, it carries seven advisories and minor defects that suggest ongoing suspension and tyre issues. The recurring nature of these faults indicates a vehicle that requires regular attention and potentially costly repairs.

Good signs
  • Mileage record is consistent with 21 readings always going up.
  • Current MOT is valid until February 2027.
  • Passed first time in 8 of 15 MOTs (53%), which is close to the average for similar cars.
  • Petrol engine is likely ULEZ compliant.
  • Many past recurring issues like exhaust and brake pad wear have been resolved.
Watch-outs
  • Three dangerous defects were recorded in the last five years; you must check exactly what was repaired and ask for receipts.
  • Three issues are recurring and still present at the latest MOT: offside front tyre worn on edge, offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover deteriorated, and offside front drive shaft joint CV boot deteriorated.
  • The latest MOT had seven advisories and minor defects, mostly related to suspension and tyres.
  • Mileage is very high for its age, higher than 90% of similar cars, with an estimated 184,207 miles today.
  • Suspension and axles are the system with the most recent weighted defects.
Ask the seller
  • What exactly was repaired to clear the three dangerous defects recorded in the last five years?
  • Can you provide receipts for the repairs related to the dangerous defects?
  • Why has the offside front tyre been worn on the edge repeatedly since 2014?
  • Has the deteriorated offside front drive shaft joint CV boot been replaced or just cleaned?
  • Are there any unusual noises from the front suspension or wheels when driving?
  • How has the car been maintained given the high mileage and recurring suspension issues?
On the test drive
  • Listen for clicking noises from the front wheels when turning, indicating CV joint issues.
  • Check for vibrations through the steering wheel or floor, which may suggest worn drive shafts.
  • Inspect the offside front tyre for uneven wear patterns, specifically wear on the edge.
  • Check the condition of the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover for deterioration.
  • Test the steering response for any excessive play or looseness in the suspension.
  • Check all lights and electrics, as stop lamps were previously noted as not working.
Owning it

Owning this car will likely involve frequent visits to a mechanic for suspension and tyre replacements due to the recurring issues and high mileage. You should budget for immediate repairs to address the minor defects and advisories from the latest MOT, as well as investigate the history of the dangerous defects.

Flags

Red: dig deeper. Amber: worth asking about. Green: good signs.

3 dangerous defects in 5 years

Check exactly what was repaired and ask for receipts.

3 issues keep coming back

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge; Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated; Offside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated

Very high mileage for its age

Higher than 90% of similar cars.

7 advisories on the latest MOT

Budget for upcoming work, or use them to negotiate.

Mileage record is consistent

21 readings, always going up.

Mileage

Every odometer reading recorded at an MOT.

10,370 mi/year on average
8,175 mi/year recently
Very high for its age
Always went up

Recurring issues

Problems noted at more than one annual MOT.

Still present
Wheels & tyres · 13 MOTs · Oct 2014 to Feb 2026

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge

Still present
Suspension & axles · 3 MOTs · Apr 2021 to Feb 2026

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated

Still present
Body, structure & corrosion · 2 MOTs · Apr 2022 to Feb 2026

Offside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated

Since fixed
Wheels & tyres · 4 MOTs · Oct 2012 to Apr 2022

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm

Since fixed
Exhaust, emissions & leaks · 3 MOTs · Apr 2020 to Apr 2021

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits

Since fixed
Exhaust, emissions & leaks · 3 MOTs · Apr 2020 to Apr 2022

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits

Since fixed
Exhaust, emissions & leaks · 3 MOTs · Apr 2020 to Apr 2022

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction

Since fixed
Brakes · 3 MOTs · Apr 2020 to Apr 2021

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin

Where the problems are

Defects grouped by vehicle system using the MOT inspection manual.

Suspension & axles

10 recent · similar cars fail here 21%

Wheels & tyres

2 recent · similar cars fail here 10%

Lights & electrics

2 recent · similar cars fail here 16%

Body, structure & corrosion

1.5 recent · similar cars fail here 14%

Brakes

1 recent · similar cars fail here 6%

Exhaust, emissions & leaks

Nothing recent · similar cars fail here 11%

Visibility & wipers

Nothing recent · similar cars fail here 8%

Seat belts & other equipment

Nothing recent · similar cars fail here 3%

Steering

Nothing recent · similar cars fail here 3%
Darker bar: last 3 MOTs. Lighter bar: whole history. Weighted by severity (dangerous 5, major 3, minor 1.5, advisory 1).

Compared with similar cars

Compared with 715 MOTs of 2008 petrol Volkswagen Tourans in 2024 (DVSA anonymised data).

This car passes first time

53%

Similar cars pass first time

55%

Typical mileage for similar cars: 107,914 miles

What commonly fails on these

Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt

11.5%

Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt

5.9%

Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt

5.7%

Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction

5.0%

Coil spring: fractured or broken

4.6%

Full MOT history

21 tests · 56 advisories · 4 dangerous defects

4 Feb 2026

Pass

179,051 miles

7 advisories
Advisory
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
Recurring
Wheels & tyres · Manual ref 5.2.3 (e)
Advisory
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
Recurring
Wheels & tyres · Manual ref 5.2.3 (e)
Minor
Offside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated
Recurring
Body, structure & corrosion · Manual ref 6.1.7 (g) (i)
Minor
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
Recurring
Suspension & axles · Manual ref 5.3.4 (b) (i)
Minor
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
Recurring
Suspension & axles · Manual ref 5.3.4 (b) (i)
Minor
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
Suspension & axles · Manual ref 5.3.4 (b) (i)
Minor
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
Suspension & axles · Manual ref 5.3.4 (b) (i)
MOT valid until 7 Feb 2027

4 Feb 2025

Pass

160,428 miles

5 advisories

3 Feb 2024

Pass
Retest

158,065 miles

Clean

3 Feb 2024

Fail

158,065 miles

1 fail item

8 Feb 2023

Pass

154,607 miles

2 advisories

13 Apr 2022

Fail

154,397 miles

9 fail items
5 advisories

How the RegFlags Rating is worked out

Every car starts at 100. Points come off for the things below, and nothing else. The score describes the MOT record, not the car in front of you.

-16

Dangerous defects

3 dangerous defects recorded in the last 5 years.

-1

First-time pass rate

Passed first time in 8 of 15 MOTs (53%), against 55% for similar cars.

-12

Recurring issues

3 issues advised repeatedly and still present at the latest MOT.

-5

Very high mileage

Mileage is in the top 10% for similar cars of this age.

-7

Advisories on latest MOT

7 advisory or minor defects on the latest MOT.

RegFlags uses DVSA MOT, recall and DfT licensing data (checked 22 Sept 2026, 21:53). It doesn't check outstanding finance, theft or insurance write-offs, and it isn't a substitute for an independent inspection. ULEZ status is an estimate. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.