Ford Puma (1999)
1999 Ford Puma
CarHunch analysed 12,339 real MOT records for the 1999 Ford Puma. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1999 Ford Puma passes MOT on first attempt only 67.9% of the time, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly a third of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for buyers considering safety and repair costs. This isn't a naturally unreliable design; it's age: these 25-year-old cars are sitting at around 80,000 miles on average, which is reasonable for their era, but they're now hitting the point where cumulative wear matters.
Expect an average of four failures and nearly 20 advisories per MOT test, meaning most older Pumas will need at least some work each year to stay legal. If you're buying one, budget for an independent inspection by someone familiar with 1990s Fords—structural corrosion and suspension wear are likely culprits—and treat the MOT as a minimum baseline, not a clean bill of health.
What to check before buying a 1999 Ford Puma
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.
- ⚠️ 32% 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 Ford Puma
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 12,323 | 67.9% | 4.01 |
| Diesel (0%) | 12 | 68.1% | 4.17 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 67.5% | 2 |
| LPG (0%) | 1 | 88.2% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1999 Ford Puma 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 1999 Ford Puma vehicles fall between 63,404 and 95,011 miles.
1999 Ford Puma — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 283 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1999 Ford Puma
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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79.6%
Oil leak
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70.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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70.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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70%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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69.8%
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
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53.3%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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52.3%
Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated
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49.3%
Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1999. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Puma?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.