Ford Transit (1986)
1986 Ford Transit
CarHunch analysed 2,408 real MOT records for the 1986 Ford Transit. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
These 1986 Transits are in poor condition overall, with a first-time pass rate of just 34.7%—less than half the UK average of 80%. Diesel versions fare significantly better at 52% pass rate versus petrol at 22.6%, so fuel type matters enormously here, though neither inspires confidence.
Most of these vehicles have covered around 76,700 miles on average, which is reasonable for a 38-year-old van, but they're accumulating 1.21 failures and 4.1 advisories per test, pointing to widespread wear across brakes, emissions, suspension and lighting. Before buying any 1986 Transit, insist on a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist and budget for immediate repairs—these are genuine projects, not everyday workhorses.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 29.5 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 1986 Ford Transit
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 Ford Transit
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 (59%) | 1,418 | 22.6% | 0.7 |
| Diesel (41%) | 986 | 52.1% | 1.95 |
| LPG (0%) | 4 | 38.6% | 2.25 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 Ford Transit 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 Ford Transit vehicles fall between 33,166 and 83,577 miles.
1986 Ford Transit — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 45 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (26% 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 Ford Transit
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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34.9%
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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32.1%
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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30%
Oil leak
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28.6%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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25.1%
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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24.7%
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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24.2%
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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23.7%
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Transit?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.