CarCostCheck

FORD DORCHESTER (2008)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 102 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

86%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4000cc Petrol

Solid Option

86% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol4000cc18 years old102 tests71k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4000cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 4000cc

£760
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,757
Per month£230/mo
Per week£53/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

86% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 18 years old, 86% of FORD DORCHESTERs from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 102 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 70,893 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 cars113th of 589(top 19%)
Rank among FORD models645th of 1,167(top 55%)
vs national average+4%(82% avg)
vs 2008 cars average+13%(73% avg)
vs FORD average+1%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

70,893

Average miles

vs

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2008 FORD DORCHESTER has 70,893 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2010 model with a 95% MOT pass rate, while the 2009 model has the lowest at 74%. The 2008 sits between the two at 86%.

FORD DORCHESTER by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201486%8760,559 mi
201288%3487,136 mi
201188%7762,263 mi
201095%8762,973 mi
200974%5874,246 mi
200886%10270,893 mi
200792%13291,218 mi
200689%4490,459 mi
200564%3383,460 mi

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About the 2008 FORD DORCHESTER

The 2008 FORD DORCHESTER is a performance with a 4000cc petrol engine. 102 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 19% of all 2008 cars for reliability.

With an average of 70,893 miles at 18 years old, FORD DORCHESTER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 FORD DORCHESTER Fuel Costs

The 4000cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2008 FORD DORCHESTER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 86% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FORD DORCHESTER Reliability Trend

Newer FORD DORCHESTERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2008 FORD DORCHESTER

At 18 years old, the FORD DORCHESTER is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2010 model has the highest pass rate at 95%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2008 FORD DORCHESTER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 18 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2008 FORD DORCHESTER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
FORD DORCHESTER(2008)86%£1592£760Grp 35-50£2757
JAGUAR XF(2008)78%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(2006)80%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
VOLVO XC90(2009)78%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360
PORSCHE 911(2006)90%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2097-£660

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Ford Models

Explore other Ford cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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