1997 LDV Convoy — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1997 LDV Convoy passed 70.4% of its 267 recorded MOT tests. That is 4.5 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.2% of tests against 16.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and chassis condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 45 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 36.4% once past 120-150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 39.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.2% | 54 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.9% | 45 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.9% | 37 |
| 4 | Suspension | 11.2% | 30 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.0% | 24 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.0% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 45 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 44 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 26 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 21 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 19 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 19 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 39.3% | 105 |
| 2 | Suspension | 39.0% | 104 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.2% | 70 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.2% | 62 |
| 5 | Steering | 21.0% | 56 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 20.2% | 54 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 33 | 24.2% |
| 60-90k | 88 | 29.5% |
| 90-120k | 51 | 39.2% |
| 120-150k | 44 | 36.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 61 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 73 | 32.9% |
| 2023 | 48 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 49 | 30.6% |
| 2025 | 36 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Convoy
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1997 LDV Convoys pass their MOT?
70.4% of the 267 1997 LDV Convoy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 LDV Convoy?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.2% of tests, followed by brakes (16.9%).
Does the 1997 Convoy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.2% in the 30-60k band to 36.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 267 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.