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Bedford Bambi Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Bedford Bambi car check

Is the Bedford Bambi reliable? We analysed 2,115 real MOT tests across 118 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,115 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
67.6%
Typical Mileage
61,094mi
Annual Mileage
946mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
40yrs

The Bedford Bambi is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively, fog lamp not working and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Bedford Bambi.

Bedford Bambi Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Bedford Bambi. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Bedford Bambi MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Bedford Bambi to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

68.3%
1990
68.3%
1989
66.1%
1988
67%
1987
71.1%
1986

Bedford Bambi Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Bedford Bambi fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 100
fog lamp not working 66
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 63
brake recording little or no effort 60
position lamp(s) not working 57
Service brake: efficiency below requirements 57
Steering component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 48
Horn not working 38
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 36
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 35

Bedford Bambi Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Bedford Bambi owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
363 mi/yr
Typical
946 mi/yr
Average
1,535 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,986 mi/yr

Bedford Bambi MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Bedford Bambi year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1990 202 68.3% 45,616 60,544 78,040
1989 426 68.3% 48,580 65,633 78,813
1988 629 66.1% 45,484 59,294 71,171
1987 646 67.0% 38,668 60,235 75,256
1986 187 71.1% 45,956 65,261 93,078

How Long Does a Bedford Bambi Last?

Based on 118 Bedford Bambi vehicles on UK roads.

Average
31.4 years
Median
34.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
40 years

Bedford Bambi Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Bedford Bambi MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
61,094 mi
75th Percentile
76,368 mi
95th Percentile
95,518 mi
Max Recorded
945,148 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Bedford Bambi

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1986

71.1% MOT pass rate from 187 tests

Year to avoid
1988

66.1% MOT pass rate from 629 tests

The best year to buy a used Bedford Bambi is 1986, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 71.1% across 187 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Bedford Bambi Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Bedford Bambi THIS CAR 67.6% 2,115 61,094 mi 40 yrs
Bedford Rascal 67.1% 15,670 60,580 mi 40 yrs
Bedford Cf 66.6% 12,420 60,401 mi 56 yrs
Bedford Midi 66.7% 5,313 69,482 mi 47 yrs
Honda Not Stated 92.1% 1,525 26,010 mi — yrs

Compared to the Bedford Rascal (67.1% pass rate) and the Bedford Cf (66.6% pass rate), the Bedford Bambi outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Bedford Bambi you like?

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Should you buy a used Bedford Bambi?

The Bedford Bambi has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.6% across 2,115 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Bedford Bambi are windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (100 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (66), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (63). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Bedford Bambi owner drives around 946 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Bedford Bambi models stay on UK roads for around 40 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Bedford Bambi — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bedford Bambi reliable?
Based on 2,115 MOT tests, the Bedford Bambi has a 67.6% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Bedford Bambi?
The most common MOT failures are windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively, fog lamp not working, and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Bedford Bambi do per year?
The typical Bedford Bambi does around 946 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Bedford Bambi last?
Most Bedford Bambi models stay on UK roads for around 40 years based on our analysis of 118 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Bedford Bambi?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Bedford Bambi?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Bedford Bambi is 1986 with a 71.1% pass rate across 187 tests.