Ford Transit: what fails at MOT
431,000 MOT tests on the Ford Transit in 2024, counted. 35.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
35.8% of Ford Transit tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27.4%, so the Transit does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (11.6% of tests), suspension (8.7% of tests) and brakes (7.8% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, suspension and brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,589 | 17.6% | 10.9% | 38,200 20,100 to 57,400 |
| 2020 | 2,276 | 18.7% | 11.5% | 50,300 29,600 to 71,500 |
| 2019 | 4,342 | 23.3% | 13.4% | 60,500 40,000 to 89,100 |
| 2018 | 28,139 | 25.2% | 15.6% | 77,200 54,400 to 103,700 |
| 2017 | 64,527 | 29.1% | 18.2% | 86,300 63,300 to 113,700 |
| 2016 | 62,216 | 30.0% | 21.3% | 95,800 71,300 to 125,600 |
| 2015 | 54,394 | 31.8% | 24.4% | 108,500 82,100 to 140,500 |
| 2014 | 45,590 | 33.4% | 27.7% | 117,800 90,400 to 148,600 |
| 2013 | 30,617 | 41.4% | 30.6% | 124,200 96,400 to 157,300 |
| 2012 | 22,091 | 48.1% | 33.4% | 132,800 103,200 to 164,100 |
| 2011 | 27,176 | 47.8% | 36.1% | 141,100 110,200 to 175,500 |
| 2010 | 22,955 | 47.0% | 38.6% | 146,300 113,000 to 182,000 |
| 2009 | 16,430 | 45.7% | 39.8% | 144,600 108,500 to 181,500 |
| 2008 | 18,406 | 45.8% | 41.5% | 139,800 106,600 to 174,400 |
| 2007 | 14,520 | 42.5% | 41.5% | 142,100 108,700 to 175,800 |
| 2006 | 8,037 | 42.0% | 42.4% | 133,200 95,200 to 168,300 |
| 2005 | 4,039 | 41.6% | 42.2% | 115,500 77,500 to 158,200 |
| 2004 | 2,893 | 42.8% | 42.3% | 114,000 77,900 to 152,200 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Ford Transit tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Transit | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 11.6% | 7.4% |
| Suspension More than most | 8.7% | 6.2% |
| Brakes More than most | 7.8% | 4.5% |
| Body and structure More than most | 7.4% | 2.2% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 4.8% | 3.0% |
| Tyres | 3.5% | 4.4% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 3.2% | 2.1% |
| Steering | 1.7% | 1.3% |
The parts that fail most
- Driveshaft joint4.6%
- Side light3.3%
- Brake light3.3%
- Number plate light3.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.8%
- Brake pipes2.8%
- Seat belt2.4%
- Brake pads2.4%
- Washers2.2%
- Headlamp2.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.5%
- Side light: not working3.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.8%
- Brake light: not working2.8%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.6%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded2.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.0%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.9%
- Corrosion near suspension mountings: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength1.7%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material13.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement11.6%
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge10.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened9.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.0%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive6.5%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.5%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively2.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
Check a Ford Transit's own MOT record
Looking at a Transit? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.