1997 Ford Transit · 1,316 MOT tests
1997 Ford Transit reliability
1997 Ford Transits fail 39% of first MOT tests, 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 24 Transit years (1,316 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Transits: 36.7%)
- 39%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Transits: 36.7%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 6% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 101,425
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,316
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1997 against the years either side
- 1996 cars: 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1997 car does better)
- 1998 cars: about average for its age (the 1997 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 16% of tests fail here (62% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 40% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1997 Ford Transit
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics20.2%
- Suspension17.5%
- Body, chassis and structure16%
- Brakes12.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors9.6%
- Tyres4.6%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 12.16%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 5.02%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.71%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Chassis corroded, rigidity significantly reduced 3.8%
Serious corrosion weakens the chassis, affecting crash safety and handling, so specialist assessment is needed.
Seat belt anchor area weakened 3.5%
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.5%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (19.38%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.07%) · Wheel bearing slight play (9.65%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (8.81%) · Suspension mounting area showing corrosion (8.36%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.29%)
Other years
Every Ford Transit year
The full picture: Ford Transit reliability. Before you pay for any Ford Transit, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1997 Ford Transit reliable?
1997 Ford Transits fail 39% of first MOT tests, 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 24 Transit years (1,316 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1997 Ford Transit MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (12.16% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (5.02% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.71% of tests).
How many miles should a 1997 Ford Transit have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1997 Ford Transit shows 101,425 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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