Ford Transit Courier: what fails at MOT
28,000 MOT tests on the Ford Transit Courier in 2024, counted. 28.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
28.8% of Ford Transit Courier tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 17%, so the Transit Courier does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (11.2% of tests), tyres (5.1% of tests) and wipers, washers and windscreen (4.7% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, tyres and wipers, washers and windscreen 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 | 3,506 | 21.4% | 10.9% | 35,300 23,500 to 52,900 |
| 2020 | 3,343 | 26.0% | 11.5% | 52,900 33,000 to 73,400 |
| 2019 | 4,382 | 22.4% | 13.4% | 60,200 40,900 to 84,100 |
| 2018 | 4,208 | 26.4% | 15.6% | 70,300 49,200 to 94,600 |
| 2017 | 4,013 | 30.6% | 18.2% | 83,200 60,300 to 109,300 |
| 2016 | 2,975 | 36.3% | 21.3% | 90,600 64,800 to 115,000 |
| 2015 | 3,949 | 37.4% | 24.4% | 103,500 76,800 to 135,700 |
| 2014 | 1,257 | 36.4% | 27.7% | 111,500 83,900 to 142,900 |
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 Courier 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 Courier | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 11.2% | 3.3% |
| Tyres More than most | 5.1% | 3.6% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 4.7% | 2.1% |
| Suspension More than most | 3.6% | 2.2% |
| Brakes | 3.0% | 2.3% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 2.9% | 0.9% |
| Steering | 1.1% | 0.5% |
| Body and structure | 1.0% | 0.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Brake light4.6%
- Headlamp aim3.2%
- Tyre2.9%
- Headlamp2.8%
- Tyre tread2.6%
- Wipers2.3%
- Washers2.2%
- Ball joint1.8%
- Number plate light1.7%
- Engine warning light1.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake light: not working4.3%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.4%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.7%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.5%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.4%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.2%
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 edge16.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.3%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.0%
- Nail in tyre1.9%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread1.8%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.7%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.4%
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?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
Check a Ford Transit Courier's own MOT record
Looking at a Transit Courier? 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.