Bedford Cf (1986)
1986 Bedford Cf
CarHunch analysed 101 real MOT records for the 1986 Bedford Cf. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1986 Bedford CF passes its MOT first time in just 70.2% of cases, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly a third of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a significant concern for any buyer. This is an ageing commercial vehicle with real structural and safety risks baked into the cohort.
These CFs are running at a median of 49,638 miles, which is genuinely low for a 38-year-old van and suggests many are lightly used or preserved. However, the average vehicle still racks up 2.52 failures and 11.8 advisories per test, pointing to cumulative wear in brakes, suspension, and bodywork that demands serious pre-purchase inspection—get a full professional survey before committing money on any example.
What to check before buying a 1986 Bedford Cf
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.
- ⚠️ 31.7% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 Cf
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%) | 58 | 68.3% | 2.74 |
| Diesel (43%) | 43 | 72.7% | 2.23 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 Bedford Cf 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 1986 Bedford Cf vehicles fall between 28,113 and 77,751 miles.
1986 Bedford Cf — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (36% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Bedford Cf
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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46.1%
Oil leak
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27.7%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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27.2%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
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26.7%
Brake pipe slightly corroded
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25.1%
Brakes imbalanced across an axle
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23%
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid
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23%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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18.8%
Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Bedford Cf?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.