1997 Ldv Pilot — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 294 MOT tests analysed for the 1997 Ldv Pilot, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 69.4% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.4%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 53 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.0% | 50 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.0% | 50 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.9% | 32 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.5% | 28 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.1% | 15 |
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 | 56 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 33 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 27 |
| 4 | Wheel bearings | 25 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 6 | Wipers | 18 |
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 | 38.8% | 114 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.0% | 103 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.8% | 73 |
| 4 | Steering | 20.4% | 60 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.0% | 50 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 37 |
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 | 30 | 26.7% |
| 60-90k | 90 | 36.7% |
| 90-120k | 99 | 30.3% |
| 120-150k | 40 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 69 | 24.6% |
| 2022 | 72 | 36.1% |
| 2023 | 61 | 27.9% |
| 2024 | 51 | 35.3% |
| 2025 | 41 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Pilot
Before buying a 1997 Ldv Pilot, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (17.0% 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.
- Suspension (17.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 Pilots pass their MOT?
69.4% of the 294 1997 Ldv Pilot MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Ldv Pilot?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by brakes (17.0%).
Does the 1997 Pilot get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.7% in the 30-60k band to 20.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 294 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.