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N981 XOA

1996 Ford Transit

Blue Diesel 2496cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires8 Dec 2026
Tests26 (16 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate61.5%

Mileage

146,256 mi
Last recorded146,256 miles
Recorded on9 Dec 2025
Typical for 1996 Ford Transit129,793 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Ford
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationN981 XOA
MakeFord
ModelTransit
Year1996
ColourBlue
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

16 pass 10 fail
Pass 9 Dec 2025 146,256 miles

Brake pedal wearing smooth (1.1.2 (c))

Front Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Crossmember (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

Nearside Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator insecure (4.4.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Outline marker lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Position lamp insecure (4.2.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Outline marker lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Position lamp insecure (4.2.1 (c) (i))

Fail 14 Nov 2025 146,251 miles

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced Step/Sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Front Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Service brake has no recorded effort at a wheel (1.2.1 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.2.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Central Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Chassis leg (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator insecure (4.4.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear Position lamp insecure (4.2.1 (c) (i))

No reverse light

Offside Front Direction indicator insecure (4.4.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Lower Outline marker lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Outline marker lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.2.1 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Position lamp insecure (4.2.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Second leg of truck bed corroded

Pass 21 Aug 2024 144,716 miles
Fail 14 Aug 2024 144,714 miles

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner arch/out rigger (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner lower arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 2 Sep 2023 138,213 miles
Pass 12 Aug 2022 133,446 miles
Pass 18 Aug 2021 129,028 miles

Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both front upper inner arches (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Fail 10 Aug 2021 129,022 miles

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

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength cross member near front spring mount (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive both front upper inner arches (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 5 Nov 2015 108,063 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

oil leak

prop shaft bush worn

Fail 26 Oct 2015 108,062 miles

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Power steering component(s) leaking rack (2.3.3b)

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

Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded o/s inner step (5.2.6)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

oil leak

prop shaft bush worn

Pass 10 Nov 2014 103,510 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Leaf spring has a slightly deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.B.2)

Nearside Rear Leaf spring has slight wear in an anchor pin and/or bush (2.4.B.2)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Leaf spring has a slightly deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.B.2)

Offside Rear Leaf spring has slight wear in an anchor pin and/or bush (2.4.B.2)

Oil leak

Play in prop-shaft centre bearing

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

nearside rear brake binding

slight play in anti-roll bar D bushes

tail pipe corroded

tipper hydraulic ram leaking

Fail 6 Nov 2014 103,509 miles

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

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

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)

Offside Registration plate lamp not fitted (1.1.C.1b)

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Leaf spring has a slightly deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.B.2)

Nearside Rear Leaf spring has slight wear in an anchor pin and/or bush (2.4.B.2)

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.A.1)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Rear Leaf spring has a slightly deteriorated anchor pin rubber bush not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.B.2)

Offside Rear Leaf spring has slight wear in an anchor pin and/or bush (2.4.B.2)

Oil leak

Play in prop-shaft centre bearing

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

nearside rear brake binding

slight play in anti-roll bar D bushes

tail pipe corroded

tipper hydraulic ram leaking

Pass 5 Nov 2013 94,936 miles
Fail 5 Nov 2013 94,936 miles

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Rear fog lamp tell tale not working (1.3.1b)

Pass 5 Nov 2012 83,872 miles
Pass 21 Oct 2011 70,160 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 12 Aug 2011 67,796 miles
Fail 12 Aug 2011 67,796 miles

Nearside Registration plate lamp shows direct white light to the rear (1.1.C.1f)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 29 Jul 2010 59,070 miles
Fail 28 Jul 2010 59,070 miles

Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Pass 21 Aug 2009 56,492 miles

Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fail 21 Aug 2009 56,492 miles

All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 15 Aug 2008 50,901 miles
Fail 15 Aug 2008 50,901 miles

All position lamps not working (1.1.A.3b)

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 15 Aug 2007 50,032 miles
Pass 17 Aug 2006 49,230 miles

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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N981 XOA is a 1996 Ford Transit in Blue with a 2,496cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.5%.

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 XOA, 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 XOA?

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

What year was N981 XOA registered?

N981 XOA is a 1996 Ford Transit, first registered on 29 January 1996.

Is N981 XOA safe to buy?

The MOT history for N981 XOA shows 26 tests with a 61.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does N981 XOA 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 XOA. 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.