1995 Fiat Ducato — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,533 MOT tests, the 1995 Fiat Ducato recorded a 69.6% pass rate. 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 21.2% of tests against 13.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — service brake performance alone was recorded 229 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.0% once past 150k — 2.0× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.2% 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 | 21.2% | 537 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.9% | 351 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.1% | 331 |
| 4 | Visibility | 10.0% | 254 |
| 5 | Suspension | 9.6% | 244 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 81 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 229 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 221 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 220 |
| 4 | Wipers | 198 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 179 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 170 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.2% | 992 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.1% | 863 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 25.1% | 635 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.9% | 555 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 356 |
| 6 | Tyres | 11.9% | 302 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 37 | 16.2% |
| 30-60k | 511 | 26.0% |
| 60-90k | 970 | 31.0% |
| 90-120k | 665 | 34.0% |
| 120-150k | 231 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 115 | 33.0% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,447 | 30.2% |
| Petrol | 86 | 37.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 456 | 31.8% |
| 2022 | 557 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 536 | 28.2% |
| 2024 | 497 | 30.8% |
| 2025 | 487 | 31.4% |
What to check before buying a 1995 Ducato
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.9% 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 1995 Fiat Ducatos pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 2,533 1995 Fiat Ducato MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Fiat Ducato?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.2% of tests, followed by brakes (13.9%).
Does the 1995 Ducato get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.2% in the 0-30k band to 33.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,533 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.