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Fiat Ulysse 1.9 Td S (1996)

107 real MOT outcomes analysed • 22.3% first-time pass rate

1996 Fiat Ulysse 1.9 Td S

CarHunch analysed 107 real MOT records for the 1996 Fiat Ulysse 1.9 Td S. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1996 Fiat Ulysse 1.9 TD diesel has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 22.3%, dramatically below the UK average of 80%, making it a genuinely unreliable proposition at this age. Dangerous defects are relatively rare at 4.7%, but the core problem is straightforward: these vans fail their tests routinely.

At an average mileage of 132,832 km for a 28-year-old vehicle, these are heavily worked examples, and the numbers explain why—they're averaging 0.82 failures and 2.0 advisories per test, pointing to systemic wear across engines, transmissions, and running gear. If you're considering one, budget for immediate and ongoing repairs, and have any prospect independently inspected by a diesel specialist before committing.

Below average reliability 57.7% below UK average
22.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
126,685
typical mileage
110,796–156,820 middle half
4.7%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.82
avg MOT failures per car
over 2.9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1996 Fiat Ulysse 1.9 Td S

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 Fiat Ulysse 1.9 Td S

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Mileage Distribution

Most 1996 Fiat Ulysse 1.9 Td S 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.

110,796
low mileage
126,685
typical
156,820
high mileage

Half of all 1996 Fiat Ulysse 1.9 Td S vehicles fall between 110,796 and 156,820 miles.

MOT History Averages

2.9
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.82
Avg failures per vehicle
2
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Fiat Ulysse 1.9 Td S?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Fiat Ulysse 1.9 Td S:

1997