1990 Ford P100 — MOT failures & pass rate
406 MOT tests on the 1990 Ford P100 are in this dataset, and 81.5% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (21.8% fail rate), the 1990 P100 comes out 3.3pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.8% of all tests — 8.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are stop lamp, headlamp and prescribed areas — stop lamp alone was recorded 38 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1990 P100 fails 20.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 21.4% at 90-120k, a spread of only 0.8 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 20.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 68 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.4% | 34 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 31 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.7% | 27 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.7% | 23 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.7% | 19 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp | 38 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 26 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 26 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 25 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 21 |
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 | 20.4% | 83 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.2% | 74 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.5% | 63 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 57 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.8% | 40 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.6% | 39 |
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 | 165 | 20.6% |
| 30-60k | 91 | 12.1% |
| 60-90k | 102 | 19.6% |
| 90-120k | 42 | 21.4% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 224 | 17.4% |
| Diesel | 182 | 19.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87 | 18.4% |
| 2022 | 87 | 17.2% |
| 2023 | 76 | 15.8% |
| 2024 | 79 | 19.0% |
| 2025 | 77 | 22.1% |
What to check before buying a 1990 P100
On a 1990 P100, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (7.6% 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 1990 Ford P100s pass their MOT?
81.5% of the 406 1990 Ford P100 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1990 Ford P100?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by suspension (8.4%).
Does the 1990 P100 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 0-30k band to 21.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 406 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.