FIAT DUCATO1991 · 2.4L DIESEL

The 1991 Fiat Ducato passed its most recent MOT on 27 April 2026 at 217,769 miles, but the maintenance trend is not reassuring. That pass came just six days after a failure on 21 April 2026 at 217,738 miles, where the tester flagged headlamp aim faults, a missing rear fog lamp tell-tale, and play in both nearside and offside steering rack inner joints. The steering rack advisories carried over into the retest pass, meaning the inner joint wear was not rectified, only deemed not yet severe enough to fail. A vehicle of this age with play still present at the rack is a clear indicator that front-end wear is being tolerated rather than repaired. The mileage pattern tells a story of sharply declining use. Between the March 2025 test at 198,280 miles and the April 2026 tests at 217,738 to 217,769 miles, the vehicle covered roughly 19,460 miles in just over twelve months. That is a significant jump compared to the earlier interval from March 2024 at 188,117 miles to March 2025 at 198,280 miles, which saw around 10,163 miles. The annualised average of approximately 6,222 miles over the vehicle's life is typical, but the recent spike suggests either a period of heavier commercial use or the correction of a previously under-recorded or standing period. The gap between March 2025 and April 2026 is the longest interval in the provided record, yet the mileage accumulated during it is the highest, placing considerable stress on an already aged chassis and drivetrain. A buyer inspecting this Ducato in person should focus on the structural and hydraulic components that have repeatedly drawn attention. Corroded front brake pipes appeared as advisories in March 2024, March 2025, and the April 2026 pass, with the 2025 failure noting an excessively corroded front-to-rear metal pipe alongside oil leaks from the engine. Persistent corrosion in brake lines on a 35-year-old commercial vehicle is a serious concern, particularly where pipes are covered in grease or material that can trap moisture against the metal. The front brake hoses were flagged as slightly deteriorated and chafed in 2025, and the offside front inner brake disc was worn and pitted in 2024, suggesting uneven braking wear that has not been fully addressed. Suspension and steering components also demand close examination. Play in steering rack inner joints has now been noted in both April 2026 tests, while the 2025 failure identified excessively worn offside front suspension rod pins or bushes and a damaged nearside rear suspension bellows. Multiple wheel bearings across both axles have shown slight play in three consecutive tests, and the 2025 failure included a defective brake load sensing valve linkage. These are not isolated consumable items but a pattern of wear across the front and rear running gear that points to a vehicle that has been kept on the road with minimal proactive overhaul. Any inspection should include a thorough check of the steering rack, front suspension bushes, rear suspension bellows, and a close visual assessment of all metal brake lines for corrosion beneath any protective covering.