1997 General Motors Pontiac MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Pontiac models manufactured in 1997, based on 87 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1997 General Motors Pontiac MOT Analysis
The 1997 General Motors Pontiac has an MOT pass rate of 85.1% based on 87 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 69,716 miles on the odometer. With a 14.9% failure rate, the 1997 Pontiac is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1997 General Motors Pontiac is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, responsible for 2.3% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Body, chassis, structure is the second most common issue at 1.1%. Identification of the vehicle follows at 1.1%.
Top failures specific to 1997 models only. The overall Pontiac page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 2.3% | 2 |
| 2 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 1.1% | 1 |
| 3 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.1% | 1 |
| 4 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 1.1% | 1 |
| 5 | Tyres | 1.1% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 69,716 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.33 | 2.3% | 2 |
| Body & Structure | 0.16 | 1.1% | 1 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.16 | 1.1% | 1 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.16 | 1.1% | 1 |
| Tyres | 0.16 | 1.1% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1997 General Motors Pontiac has an MOT pass rate of 85.1% based on 87 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 69,716 miles on the odometer. With a 14.9% failure rate, the 1997 Pontiac is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1997 General Motors Pontiac, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. At 69,716 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 2.3% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 2.3% of MOT failures on 1997 General Motors Pontiac models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Body, chassis, structure — 1.1% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 1.1% of MOT failures on 1997 General Motors Pontiac models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Identification of the vehicle — 1.1% of failures
Identification of the vehicle issues account for 1.1% of MOT failures on 1997 General Motors Pontiac models. Identification failures relate to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and registration plate. The VIN must be permanently displayed and legible, and the registration plate must meet British Standard formatting. Typical repair costs: £10–50. Pre-MOT check: Ensure the VIN plate is visible and legible (usually in the windscreen or under the bonnet). Check that number plates are clean, undamaged, and use the correct font and spacing.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.