Ford Transit (1991)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 851 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,806

£234/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

n/a

2496cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2,806/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Diesel2496cc35 years old851 tests59k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2496cc)

~40 mpg

£1,676

Road Tax

Car rate estimate; vans are taxed differently

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,806

Per month£234/mo

Per week£54/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Ford brand average of 85%.

69% of MOT tests on Ford Transits from 1991 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 33 years old. That's based on 851 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 58,872 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 models146th of 172(bottom 16%)

Rank among Ford models1050th of 1,136(bottom 8%)

vs average of all models-13%(82% avg)

vs 1991 models average-10%(79% avg)

vs Ford average-16%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

58,872

Average miles

244,200

Expected for age

The average 1991 Ford Transit had 58,872 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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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 1992 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1991 scores 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Ford Transit by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	89%	323	35,036 mi
2020	93%	396	37,700 mi
2019	84%	4,596	70,103 mi
2018	83%	33,964	82,895 mi
2017	81%	80,031	91,785 mi
2016	80%	78,382	102,215 mi
2015	78%	69,792	114,311 mi
2014	77%	59,048	121,986 mi
2013	74%	41,052	129,239 mi
2012	71%	30,494	135,773 mi
2011	70%	37,679	144,725 mi
2010	69%	31,633	149,702 mi
2009	69%	22,453	145,382 mi
2008	69%	24,707	141,767 mi
2007	70%	19,383	141,931 mi
2006	70%	11,184	133,893 mi
2005	70%	5,914	122,440 mi
2004	70%	4,246	120,795 mi
2003	68%	4,430	128,589 mi
2002	71%	3,715	128,093 mi
2001	71%	2,701	124,676 mi
2000	73%	1,926	117,269 mi
1999	73%	3,048	105,293 mi
1998	72%	3,080	107,320 mi
1997	71%	2,561	109,450 mi
1996	72%	2,488	111,525 mi
1995	72%	2,214	102,420 mi
1994	72%	1,403	70,530 mi
1993	73%	621	65,259 mi
1992	66%	888	58,057 mi
1991	69%	851	58,872 mi
1990	71%	1,042	58,958 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Transporter

1992 · 2370cc Diesel

£2,606/year

70%

+1%

Fiat Ducato

1992 · 2445cc Diesel

£2,806/year

68%

-1%

Renault Trafic

1993 · 2499cc Diesel

£2,806/year

64%

-5%

Volkswagen LT

1990 · 2400cc Diesel

£2,806/year

66%

-3%

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About the 1991 Ford Transit

The 1991 Ford Transit is a van. Our records list a 2496cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 851 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 16% of 1991 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 58,872 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Transit 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 Transit Fuel Costs

The 2496cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,676 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1991 Ford Transit?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,806 (£234/month), broken down as £1,676 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Ford Transit Reliability Trend

Newer Ford Transits pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 6 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 1991 Ford Transit

At 35 years old, the Ford Transit 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 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 93%.

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.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 Transit 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 Transit(1991)	69%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,806
Volkswagen Transporter(1992)	70%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,606-£200
Fiat Ducato(1992)	68%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,806same
Renault Trafic(1993)	64%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,806same
Volkswagen LT(1990)	66%	£1,676	£375	n/a	£2,806same

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 Transit

Is the 1991 Ford Transit reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 69% of MOT tests on 1991 Ford Transits ended in a pass, from 851 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 13 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1991 Ford Transit cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,806 a year (£234 a month): £1,676 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

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

69% of 851 MOT tests on the 1991 Ford Transit ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 146th of 172 models first registered in 1991 (bottom 16%).

Which year Ford Transit has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Ford Transit has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 1992 the lowest at 66%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1991 Ford Transit?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1991 Ford Transit is 58,872 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.