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FORD TRANSIT (1991)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 851 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,395

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2496cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2395/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

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2496cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,395
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 35 years old, 69% of FORD TRANSITs from 1991 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 851 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 58,872 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 cars151th of 179(top 84%)
Rank among FORD models1078th of 1,167(top 92%)
vs national average-13%(82% avg)
vs 1991 cars average-9%(78% avg)
vs FORD average-16%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

58,872

Average miles

vs

259,000

Expected for age

The average 1991 FORD TRANSIT has 58,872 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 259,000 miles for a 35-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 2020 model with a 93% MOT pass rate, while the 1992 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1991 sits between the two at 69%.

FORD TRANSIT by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202189%32335,036 mi
202093%39637,700 mi
201984%4,59670,103 mi
201883%33,96482,895 mi
201781%80,03191,785 mi
201680%78,382102,215 mi
201578%69,792114,311 mi
201477%59,048121,986 mi
201374%41,052129,239 mi
201271%30,494135,773 mi
201170%37,679144,725 mi
201069%31,633149,702 mi
200969%22,453145,382 mi
200869%24,707141,767 mi
200770%19,383141,931 mi
200670%11,184133,893 mi
200570%5,914122,440 mi
200470%4,246120,795 mi
200368%4,430128,589 mi
200271%3,715128,093 mi
200171%2,701124,676 mi
200073%1,926117,269 mi
199973%3,048105,293 mi
199872%3,080107,320 mi
199771%2,561109,450 mi
199672%2,488111,525 mi
199572%2,214102,420 mi
199472%1,40370,530 mi
199373%62165,259 mi
199266%88858,057 mi
199169%85158,872 mi
199071%1,04258,958 mi

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About the 1991 FORD TRANSIT

The 1991 FORD TRANSIT is a large car with a 2496cc diesel engine. 851 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 84% of 1991 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 58,872 miles at 35 years old, 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 £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (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 £2,395 200/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

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

Based on the 1991 FORD TRANSIT's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
FORD TRANSIT(1991)69%£1245£395Grp 25-38£2395
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1991)76%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
TALBOT EXPRESS(1993)66%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2250-£145
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1992)70%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
FIAT DUCATO(1992)68%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2250-£145

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.

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