How much does a 1999 FORD EXPLORER cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 FORD EXPLORER?

The 1999 FORD EXPLORER has a 81% MOT pass rate based on 203 tests in 2026. This ranks 107 out of 375 cars from 1999.

Which year FORD EXPLORER is most reliable?

The 2005 FORD EXPLORER has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 1998 at 66%.

FORD EXPLORER (1999)

Q: Is the 1999 FORD EXPLORER reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 81% of FORD EXPLORERs from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 203 tests. That's 1 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1999 FORD EXPLORER?

The average mileage for a 1999 FORD EXPLORER is 114,067 miles, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 203 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

81%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4008cc Petrol

Solid Option

81% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol4008cc27 years old203 tests114k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4008cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 4008cc

£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

81% 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%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 27 years old, 81% of FORD EXPLORERs from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 203 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 114,067 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 cars107th of 375(top 29%)

Rank among FORD models792th of 1,167(top 68%)

vs national average-1%(82% avg)

vs 1999 cars average+6%(75% avg)

vs FORD average-4%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

114,067

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1999 FORD EXPLORER has 114,067 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-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 2005 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1999 sits between the two at 81%.

FORD EXPLORER by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2016	88%	32	89,490 mi
2014	89%	44	97,646 mi
2013	89%	61	84,193 mi
2012	100%	38	84,961 mi
2005	89%	92	72,400 mi
2004	78%	69	77,520 mi
2003	88%	49	93,976 mi
2002	73%	33	83,397 mi
2000	73%	158	91,142 mi
1999	81%	203	114,067 mi
1998	66%	197	109,272 mi
1997	76%	98	104,130 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

JAGUAR XK8

1997 · 3995cc Petrol

£2,247/year

81%

same

PORSCHE 911

1998 · 3596cc Petrol

£2,247/year

85%

+4%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER

2001 · 3950cc Petrol

£2,247/year

80%

-1%

JAGUAR XJ

1998 · 3980cc Petrol

£2,397/year

77%

-4%

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About the 1999 FORD EXPLORER

The 1999 FORD EXPLORER is a performance with a 4008cc petrol engine. 203 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 1999, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 114,067 miles at 27 years old, FORD EXPLORER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1999 FORD EXPLORER Fuel Costs

The 4008cc 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 1999 FORD EXPLORER?

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 81% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FORD EXPLORER Reliability Trend

Newer FORD EXPLORERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 8 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1999 FORD EXPLORER

At 27 years old, the FORD EXPLORER 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 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 89%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1999 FORD EXPLORER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 27 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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 114k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

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 1999 FORD EXPLORER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FORD EXPLORER(1999)	81%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2757
JAGUAR XK8(1997)	81%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
PORSCHE 911(1998)	85%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(2001)	80%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
JAGUAR XJ(1998)	77%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£360

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.