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N981 XJH

1996 Ford Transit

Cream Diesel 2496cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires28 May 2027
Tests38 (21 pass, 17 fail)
Pass rate55.3%

Mileage

278,886 mi
Last recorded278,886 miles
Recorded on11 May 2026
Typical for 1996 Ford Transit129,793 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationN981 XJH
MakeFord
ModelTransit
Year1996
ColourCream
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,496cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

21 pass 17 fail
Pass 11 May 2026 278,886 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 195/14c Tyre on legal limit (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 11 May 2026 278,886 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 195/14c Tyre on legal limit (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 22 May 2025 278,794 miles

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Rear Spare tyre defective ()

Fail 8 May 2025 278,794 miles

All direction indicators not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced within 30cm of spring hanger (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Integral body structure is fractured and structural rigidity is significantly reduced within 30cm of shock mounting (6.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Offside Rear Coil spring insecure (5.3.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp showing white light to the rear (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Rear Spare tyre defective ()

Pass 14 May 2024 277,159 miles

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 13 May 2024 277,159 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced door step (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 22 May 2023 275,395 miles

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Fail 22 May 2023 275,395 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Position lamp showing white light to the rear (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 17 May 2022 272,565 miles

Central Prop shaft bearing has slight play (6.1.7 (b) (i))

Front Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Inner Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 6 May 2022 272,372 miles

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp aim not tested (4.1.2 (b))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Central Prop shaft bearing has slight play (6.1.7 (b) (i))

Front Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Inner Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 28 May 2021 269,896 miles

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 26 May 2021 269,886 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Power steering malfunctioning drive belt loose (2.1.5 (a))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Oil leaking continuously from engine posing a serious risk to road safety diesel leak (8.4.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing and wearing low (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Registration plate lamp throwing direct white light to the rear (4.7.1 (a))

Pass 29 May 2020 267,063 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive ENGINE (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 28 May 2020 267,063 miles

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle 52% (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Front Prop shaft bearing excessively worn (6.1.7 (b) (i))

Offside Front Parking brake mechanism/associated mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded FLOOR (1.1.21 (e) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength ARCH & FLOOR (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced CHASSIS RAIL (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive ENGINE (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 8 Mar 2019 266,502 miles

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive engine (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 19 Apr 2018 266,372 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Fail 6 Apr 2018 266,325 miles

Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Hazard warning switch faulty (1.4.B.1d)

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort foot and hand (3.7.B.5a)

Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Pass 16 Feb 2017 264,211 miles
Fail 9 Feb 2017 264,211 miles

Nearside Front Lower Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Rear Leaf spring cracked (2.4.B.1a)

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort Handbrake (3.7.B.5a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Pass 26 Feb 2016 255,027 miles
Fail 26 Feb 2016 255,027 miles

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect No pattern (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded Spring mount (front) (2.4.A.3)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded Seat belt mount. Underside of sill (5.2.6)

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired Seat belt mount (5.2.6)

Pass 9 Feb 2015 246,404 miles
Fail 28 Jan 2015 246,389 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Pass 5 Feb 2014 235,836 miles
Fail 22 Jan 2014 235,836 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Hazard warning lamps inoperative (1.4.B.1b)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Pass 28 Feb 2013 226,586 miles
Fail 26 Feb 2013 226,586 miles

Nearside Front coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a)

Pass 23 Feb 2012 215,146 miles
Fail 21 Feb 2012 215,141 miles

Driver's seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. (6.2.A.3)

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp excessively damaged so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking from a joint (2.3.3b)

Pass 18 Mar 2011 200,256 miles
Pass 12 Mar 2010 188,841 miles
Pass 3 Mar 2009 175,099 miles
Fail 18 Feb 2009 174,395 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 13 Mar 2008 163,816 miles
Pass 8 Feb 2007 162,982 miles
Fail 1 Feb 2007 162,981 miles

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 27 Feb 2006 153,942 miles
Fail 24 Feb 2006 153,838 miles

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

How Reliable is the Ford Transit?

Based on 16,371,688 MOT tests across 1,454,648 vehicles.

68.7%
Pass Rate
7,998
Miles/Year
37
Year Lifespan
1,454,648
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Registration plate lamp not working 551,926
Brake pipe excessively corroded 469,823
Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 469,369
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 418,048
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 414,266
Full Ford Transit reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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N981 XJH is a 1996 Ford Transit in Cream with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 38 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.3%.

Across all 1996 Ford Transit models, the average MOT pass rate is 62.0% with a typical mileage of 129,793 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Ford Transit fails its MOT is registration plate lamp not working, accounting for 551,926 recorded failures. If you're considering buying N981 XJH, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Ford Transit typically stays on UK roads for around 37 years. At 30 years old, this Ford Transit is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of N981 XJH?

You can check the full history of N981 XJH by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was N981 XJH registered?

N981 XJH is a 1996 Ford Transit, first registered on 28 May 1996.

Is N981 XJH safe to buy?

The MOT history for N981 XJH shows 38 tests with a 55.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N981 XJH have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on N981 XJH. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.