Leyland Daf 400 Series Diesel Turbo (1991)
1991 Leyland Daf 400 Series Diesel Turbo
CarHunch analysed 854 real MOT records for the 1991 Leyland Daf 400 Series Diesel Turbo. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 1991 Leyland DAF 400 is a serious reliability gamble: only 7.5% pass their MOT first time, compared to the UK average of 80%, and nearly 1 in 4 vehicles in this cohort have had a dangerous defect recorded. The diesel engines are the only option here, and they're failing at that same alarming 7.5% rate with no petrol alternative to consider.
These vans are running at fairly typical mileage for their age (median 95,880 miles), but the real problem is consistency—vehicles average 0.22 failures and 0.8 advisories per test, suggesting these aren't minor niggles but systemic issues. If you're looking at one of these, budget heavily for a pre-purchase inspection by someone who knows 1990s commercial diesel engines, because the MOT data says this model needs serious work to stay legal.
What to check before buying a 1991 Leyland Daf 400 Series Diesel Turbo
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 Leyland Daf 400 Series Diesel Turbo
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (100%) | 852 | 7.6% | 0.22 |
| Petrol (0%) | 2 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1991 Leyland Daf 400 Series Diesel Turbo 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 1991 Leyland Daf 400 Series Diesel Turbo vehicles fall between 70,000 and 113,585 miles.
MOT History Averages
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