How much does a 1997 FORD PUMA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 FORD PUMA?

The 1997 FORD PUMA has a 77% MOT pass rate based on 71 tests in 2026. This ranks 130 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year FORD PUMA is most reliable?

The 2021 FORD PUMA has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%. The least reliable year is 1998 at 68%.

FORD PUMA (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 FORD PUMA reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 77% of FORD PUMAs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 71 tests. That's 5 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 FORD PUMA?

The average mileage for a 1997 FORD PUMA is 64,687 miles, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 71 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1679cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Petrol1679cc29 years old71 tests65k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1679cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1679cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,197

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/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

77% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 29 years old, 77% of FORD PUMAs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 71 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 64,687 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars130th of 320(top 41%)

Rank among FORD models896th of 1,167(top 77%)

vs national average-5%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average+2%(75% avg)

vs FORD average-8%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

64,687

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 FORD PUMA has 64,687 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 95% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 68%. The 1997 sits between the two at 77%.

FORD PUMA by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2022	100%	30	20,629 mi
2021	95%	458	20,056 mi
2020	89%	417	26,310 mi
2002	69%	857	81,143 mi
2001	71%	1,097	83,232 mi
2000	71%	1,020	83,632 mi
1999	70%	922	82,933 mi
1998	68%	491	56,078 mi
1997	77%	71	64,687 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-4%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-6%

VAUXHALL CORSA

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,390/year

89%

+12%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

-7%

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About the 1997 FORD PUMA

The 1997 FORD PUMA is a family car with a 1679cc petrol engine. 71 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 64,687 miles at 29 years old, FORD PUMA 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.

1997 FORD PUMA Fuel Costs

The 1679cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 FORD PUMA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FORD PUMA Reliability Trend

Newer FORD PUMAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 FORD PUMA

At 29 years old, the FORD PUMA 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 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 95%. Note: with only 71 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 FORD PUMA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 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.

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 1997 FORD PUMA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FORD PUMA(1997)	77%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2197
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
VAUXHALL CORSA(1999)	89%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390-£807
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£475

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.