1993 Fiat Ducato — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1993 Fiat Ducato passed 70.0% of its 2,029 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (30.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 24.3% of tests against 13.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and service brake performance — headlamp alone was recorded 278 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 29.4% in the 30-60k band and 35.0% in the 150k+ band, a 5.6-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 40.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 24.3% | 494 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.6% | 275 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.1% | 265 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.4% | 170 |
| 5 | Suspension | 7.3% | 148 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.3% | 66 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 278 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 230 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 191 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 169 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 146 |
| 6 | Joints | 136 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 40.3% | 817 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.7% | 765 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 28.4% | 577 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.4% | 474 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 353 |
| 6 | Tyres | 12.4% | 252 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 412 | 29.4% |
| 60-90k | 734 | 27.3% |
| 90-120k | 481 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 215 | 34.0% |
| 150k+ | 160 | 35.0% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,708 | 30.3% |
| Petrol | 321 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 337 | 29.1% |
| 2022 | 444 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 434 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 439 | 33.7% |
| 2025 | 375 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 1993 Ducato
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 24.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (24.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1993 Fiat Ducatos pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 2,029 1993 Fiat Ducato MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1993 Fiat Ducato?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 24.3% of tests, followed by brakes (13.6%).
Does the 1993 Ducato get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.4% in the 30-60k band to 35.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,029 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.