Ford Maverick (1996)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 40 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,738

£228/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2389cc Petrol

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £2,738/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Ford Maverick

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol2389cc30 years old40 tests111k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2389cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,738

Per month£228/mo

Per week£53/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

80% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Ford brand average of 85%.

80% of MOT tests on Ford Mavericks from 1996 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 28 years old. That's based on 40 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 110,986 miles.

Got a Ford Maverick you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 models82nd of 243(top half)

Rank among Ford models811th of 1,136(bottom half)

vs average of all models-2%(82% avg)

vs 1996 models average+5%(75% avg)

vs Ford average-5%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

110,986

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1996 Ford Maverick had 110,986 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Ford Maverick?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1997 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 77%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 68%. The 1996 scores 80%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Ford Maverick by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2004	79%	33	94,357 mi
2003	68%	107	104,889 mi
2002	68%	142	104,166 mi
2001	80%	66	98,255 mi
1998	81%	54	118,419 mi
1997	77%	149	123,751 mi
1996	80%	40	110,986 mi
1995	73%	59	119,863 mi
1994	77%	82	123,898 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW Z3

1998 · 2800cc Petrol

£2,888/year

77%

-3%

BMW 3 Series

1997 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,888/year

79%

-1%

Volkswagen Golf

1998 · 1984cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

-9%

Mercedes SLK

1998 · 2298cc Petrol

£2,888/year

79%

-1%

Check a Specific Ford Maverick

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1996 Ford Maverick

The 1996 Ford Maverick is a large car. Our records list a 2389cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 40 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 1996, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 110,986 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Maverick owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1996 Ford Maverick Fuel Costs

The 2389cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1996 Ford Maverick?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,738 (£228/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Ford Maverick Reliability Trend

Older Ford Mavericks tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 9 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1996 Ford Maverick

At 30 years old, the Ford Maverick 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 1997 model has the highest pass rate at 77%. Note: with only 40 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 30 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 111k 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 1996 Ford Maverick stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Ford Maverick(1996)	80%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,738
BMW Z3(1998)	77%	£1,958	£375	Grp 30-42	£2,888+£150
BMW 3 Series(1997)	79%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,888+£150
Volkswagen Golf(1998)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561-£177
Mercedes SLK(1998)	79%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,888+£150

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1996 Ford Maverick

Is the 1996 Ford Maverick reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 80% of MOT tests on 1996 Ford Mavericks ended in a pass, from 40 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 2 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1996 Ford Maverick cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,738 a year (£228 a month): £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1996 Ford Maverick?

80% of 40 MOT tests on the 1996 Ford Maverick ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 82nd of 243 models first registered in 1996 (top half).

Which year Ford Maverick has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1997 Ford Maverick has the highest MOT pass rate at 77% and the 2003 the lowest at 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1996 Ford Maverick?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1996 Ford Maverick is 110,986 miles, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.