Ford Transit Connect: what fails at MOT
214,000 MOT tests on the Ford Transit Connect in 2024, counted. 33.5% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
33.5% of Ford Transit Connect tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.8%, so the Transit Connect does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (10.4% of tests), brakes (7.5% of tests) and suspension (6.2% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, brakes and tyres 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 | 12,181 | 17.7% | 10.9% | 42,700 28,400 to 60,400 |
| 2020 | 12,744 | 24.9% | 11.5% | 51,600 33,400 to 72,800 |
| 2019 | 17,523 | 26.3% | 13.4% | 62,800 43,100 to 86,300 |
| 2018 | 19,929 | 24.2% | 15.6% | 77,000 54,500 to 102,300 |
| 2017 | 21,122 | 23.9% | 18.2% | 87,800 64,800 to 113,800 |
| 2016 | 18,471 | 25.3% | 21.3% | 99,400 73,900 to 126,700 |
| 2015 | 19,810 | 27.8% | 24.4% | 106,700 80,300 to 135,600 |
| 2014 | 15,686 | 30.4% | 27.7% | 116,900 88,900 to 146,700 |
| 2013 | 5,643 | 39.9% | 30.6% | 110,100 84,600 to 139,100 |
| 2012 | 7,577 | 42.0% | 33.4% | 115,800 90,700 to 143,300 |
| 2011 | 7,449 | 45.5% | 36.1% | 127,800 99,600 to 155,600 |
| 2010 | 6,726 | 49.0% | 38.6% | 134,600 106,100 to 162,100 |
| 2009 | 6,685 | 47.5% | 39.8% | 126,800 100,100 to 156,600 |
| 2008 | 9,729 | 49.6% | 41.5% | 140,100 110,900 to 170,000 |
| 2007 | 11,053 | 50.9% | 41.5% | 144,600 116,800 to 172,300 |
| 2006 | 9,642 | 51.5% | 42.4% | 142,000 115,300 to 170,900 |
| 2005 | 6,789 | 53.0% | 42.2% | 142,400 116,400 to 172,300 |
| 2004 | 5,061 | 49.3% | 42.3% | 141,300 112,100 to 170,600 |
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 Connect 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 Connect | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 10.4% | 6.9% |
| Brakes More than most | 7.5% | 4.3% |
| Suspension | 6.2% | 5.5% |
| Tyres More than most | 5.6% | 4.1% |
| Body and structure More than most | 5.1% | 2.2% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 4.9% | 2.9% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 3.6% | 2.0% |
| Seat belts and airbags More than most | 1.5% | 0.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.6%
- Brake light2.7%
- Headlamp aim2.6%
- Wipers2.6%
- Tyre tread2.5%
- Headlamp2.4%
- Brake test2.3%
- Side light2.2%
- Brake pads2.2%
- Driveshaft joint2.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
- Brake light: not working2.3%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.1%
- Side light: not working2.1%
- Corrosion near suspension mountings: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength1.9%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.8%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.7%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge17.0%
- Brake pads: wearing thin7.4%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material7.3%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive7.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.5%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.8%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread2.7%
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)2.1%
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?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
Check a Ford Transit Connect's own MOT record
Looking at a Transit Connect? 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.