Bedford Car Derived Van (1987)
1987 Bedford Car Derived Van
CarHunch analysed 250 real MOT records for the 1987 Bedford Car Derived Van. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1987 Bedford van is a serious reliability concern: just 20% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and diesel versions have a 0% pass rate. While dangerous defects aren't showing up in this dataset, the catastrophic overall failure rate means most examples will need significant work to become roadworthy.
The median mileage of 53,530 miles is remarkably low for a 37-year-old vehicle, suggesting most survivors have been lightly used or stored—yet they're still failing badly, which points to age-related decay rather than wear. If you're seriously considering one, budget for a full pre-purchase inspection and expect major mechanical remedial work; this van needs to be treated as a restoration project, not transport.
What to check before buying a 1987 Bedford Car Derived Van
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Bedford Car Derived Van
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (57%) | 142 | 0.4% | 0.01 |
| Diesel (43%) | 108 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Bedford Car Derived Van vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1987 Bedford Car Derived Van vehicles fall between 53,530 and 53,530 miles.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Bedford Car Derived Van?
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