Bedford Midi (1987)
1987 Bedford Midi
CarHunch analysed 902 real MOT records for the 1987 Bedford Midi. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1987 Bedford Midi is a severely unreliable proposition: just 3.8% pass their MOT first time, against the UK average of 80%. Diesel versions are particularly problematic at 2.7% pass rate versus petrol's 4.5%, and while dangerous defects are rare at 1.7%, the sheer frequency of failures makes this vehicle a poor bet for any buyer.
These survivors have covered an above-average 91,148 miles on the clock, yet still fail badly—averaging 0.18 failures and 0.6 advisories per test. At nearly 37 years old, this van was never built to last, and unless you're a skilled mechanic with time and patience, you should look elsewhere for a working vehicle.
What to check before buying a 1987 Bedford Midi
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 Midi
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 (64%) | 581 | 4.5% | 0.27 |
| Diesel (36%) | 321 | 2.7% | 0.02 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1987 Bedford Midi 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 Midi vehicles fall between 48,266 and 82,987 miles.
1987 Bedford Midi — Still on the Road
10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2019 — 59% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2019.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1987 Bedford Midi
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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46.3%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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45.1%
Oil leak
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36.5%
Offside Rear fog lamp not working
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27.5%
Service brake: efficiency below requirements
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25.9%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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23.9%
Brake pipe slightly corroded
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20.4%
Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases
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18%
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1987. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Bedford Midi?
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