Ford Orion (1991)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 60 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,028

£169/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1596cc Petrol

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £2,028/year to run. 8 points above average.

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Petrol1596cc35 years old60 tests54k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1596cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,028

Per month£169/mo

Per week£39/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

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Ford brand average of 85%.

90% of MOT tests on Ford Orions from 1991 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 33 years old. That's based on 60 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 54,438 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 models32nd of 172(top 19%)

Rank among Ford models459th of 1,136(top half)

vs average of all models+8%(82% avg)

vs 1991 models average+11%(79% avg)

vs Ford average+5%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

54,438

Average miles

244,200

Expected for age

The average 1991 Ford Orion had 54,438 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Ford Orion by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1993	77%	94	64,557 mi
1992	74%	62	54,599 mi
1991	90%	60	54,438 mi
1990	85%	253	53,728 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,411/year

80%

-10%

BMW 3 Series

1990 · 1990cc Petrol

£2,411/year

84%

-6%

Rover Mini

1993 · 1275cc Petrol

£2,183/year

74%

-16%

Ford Escort

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£2,178/year

85%

-5%

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About the 1991 Ford Orion

The 1991 Ford Orion is a small family car. Our records list a 1596cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 60 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 19% of all 1991 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 54,438 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Orion owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1991 Ford Orion Fuel Costs

The 1596cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 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 1991 Ford Orion?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,028 (£169/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Buying a Used 1991 Ford Orion

At 35 years old, the Ford Orion 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. Note: with only 60 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.

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 1991 Ford Orion 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 Orion(1991)	90%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,028
Volkswagen Golf(1991)	80%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411+£383
BMW 3 Series(1990)	84%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411+£383
Rover Mini(1993)	74%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£155
Ford Escort(1990)	85%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,178+£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 1991 Ford Orion

Is the 1991 Ford Orion reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of MOT tests on 1991 Ford Orions ended in a pass, from 60 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1991 Ford Orion cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,028 a year (£169 a month): £1,398 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 Ford Orion?

90% of 60 MOT tests on the 1991 Ford Orion ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 32nd of 172 models first registered in 1991 (top 19%).

What is the average mileage for a 1991 Ford Orion?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1991 Ford Orion is 54,438 miles, which is significantly below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.