1989 Ford Transit 190 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Transit 190 models manufactured in 1989, based on 1,230 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all Transit 190 cars tested in 1989. Want to see how cars built in 1989 hold up over time?
View 1989 Ford Transit 190 vintage page → (67.7% current pass rate)1989 Ford Transit 190 MOT Analysis
The 1989 Ford Transit 190 has an MOT pass rate of 45.0% based on 1,230 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 53,096 miles on the odometer. With a 55.0% failure rate, the 1989 Transit 190 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1989 Ford Transit 190 is Suspension, responsible for 4.1% of failures. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs range from £200–500. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment is the second most common issue at 2.1%. Body, Structure and General Items follows at 2.0%.
Top failures specific to 1989 models only. The overall Transit 190 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
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| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 4.1% | 50 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 2.1% | 26 |
| 3 | Body, Structure And General Items | 2.0% | 24 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.5% | 18 |
| 5 | Driver's View Of The Road | 1.2% | 15 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.1% | 14 |
| 7 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.7% | 9 |
| 8 | Tyres | 0.7% | 8 |
| 9 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 0.4% | 5 |
| 10 | Non-component Advisories | 0.2% | 3 |
| 11 | Registration Plates And Vin | 0.2% | 3 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 53,096 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 0.77 | 4.1% | 50 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.40 | 2.1% | 26 |
| Body & Structure | 0.37 | 2.0% | 24 |
| Brakes | 0.28 | 1.5% | 18 |
| Visibility | 0.23 | 1.2% | 15 |
| Steering | 0.21 | 1.1% | 14 |
| Seat Belts | 0.14 | 0.7% | 9 |
| Tyres | 0.12 | 0.7% | 8 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 0.08 | 0.4% | 5 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.05 | 0.2% | 3 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.05 | 0.2% | 3 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1989 Ford Transit 190 has an MOT pass rate of 45.0% based on 1,230 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 53,096 miles on the odometer. With a 55.0% failure rate, the 1989 Transit 190 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1989 Ford Transit 190, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks. At 53,096 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Suspension — 4.1% of failures
Suspension issues account for 4.1% of MOT failures on 1989 Ford Transit 190 models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 2.1% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 2.1% of MOT failures on 1989 Ford Transit 190 models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Body, Structure and General Items — 2.0% of failures
Body, Structure and General Items issues account for 2.0% of MOT failures on 1989 Ford Transit 190 models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.