Best and worst vans by MOT pass rate: 72 models ranked

Vans live harder lives than cars. They cover more miles, carry heavier loads, and get driven by multiple drivers who may not treat them gently. The MOT data reflects this: the average van pass rate sits well below the average car. But the gap between the best and worst vans is enormous. Nearly 33 percentage points separate the top from the bottom.

We filtered DVSA test data to 72 van models with at least 1,000 tests each. The results reveal clear winners and losers, and the big three-way fight between the Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, and VW Transporter has a definitive answer.

The big three: Transit vs Sprinter vs Transporter

These three vans dominate UK commercial fleets. Between them they account for hundreds of thousands of MOT tests. The data gives us a clear ranking.

The VW Transporter edges ahead at 73.8% across 492,686 tests. The Sprinter sits just behind at 73.4% with 327,362 tests, dragged down by the sheer mileage these vans accumulate (average 155,285 miles across the fleet). The Ford Transit trails at 70.4%, but that figure covers 937,812 tests, the largest sample of any van, including many older and harder-worked fleet vehicles.

The Transporter's lead is consistent with the 2024 FN50 fleet reliability index, where Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles was named the most reliable van brand and the Transporter was rated the most reliable van model. Many Transporters also serve as lifestyle vehicles, camper van conversions, and tradesperson daily drivers. They tend to be better maintained than fleet Transits or delivery Sprinters covering 40,000 miles a year. Context matters when reading this data.

The Ford Transit Custom, a newer and more car-like van, tells a different story. Overall it passes at 81.8% across 132,075 tests, which comfortably beats all three big panel vans. If you are choosing between a Transit Custom and a Transporter for a trade van, the Transit Custom has the edge in the MOT data.

Top 10 vans by MOT pass rate

These are the best-performing van models with at least 1,000 MOT tests.

The Mercedes eVito Progressive leads at 95.1%. Electric vans have a structural MOT advantage: no exhaust to fail emissions, no clutch to wear, fewer moving parts in the drivetrain. But 95.1% is still exceptional. It suggests that eVito buyers are maintaining these vehicles well, likely as part of managed fleet programmes.

Ford dominates the top 10 with four entries, all higher-spec Transit and Transit Custom variants. The pattern is clear: Sport and Limited trims pass at higher rates than base Leader trims. This is not because the suspension is different. It is because higher-spec vans tend to be owned by people who invest more in maintenance.

High-volume base models compared

The top 10 is dominated by specific trim variants with relatively low test counts. For a fairer comparison, here are the high-volume base models that represent the bulk of UK van fleets.

Mileage is the critical context here. The Sprinter's 73.4% pass rate comes at an average of 155,285 miles. That is courier and delivery work mileage. The Ford Transit 350 Leader at 78.8% averages just 59,315 miles. If the Sprinter were tested at the same mileage, its pass rate would likely be much higher.

The Renault Master (69.0%) and Vauxhall Movano (69.2%) are essentially the same van built at the same factory, and their near-identical MOT performance confirms it. The Citroen Relay (70.2%) is similarly related to the Peugeot Boxer and Fiat Ducato. These platform-sharing arrangements mean you can cross-reference MOT data between badge-engineered variants.

Bottom 10: the worst vans

The Nissan Interstar (62.5%) and Nissan Cabstar (62.7%) sit at the bottom. The Cabstar is notable because it has 17,918 tests, so this is not a small-sample anomaly. It is a genuinely weak performer. The LDV Convoy and Maxus are discontinued brands that were already suffering quality issues before LDV went into administration in 2009.

The VW LT (64.0%) is the predecessor to the Crafter, and the 13,264 tests at an average of 155,527 miles explain its low ranking. These are old, high-mileage workhorses.

What van buyers should look for

If you are buying a used van, the MOT history is more valuable than it is for a car. Vans are more likely to have been worked hard, and the MOT record shows it. Look for:

• Consistent pass history. A van that has failed two or three MOTs in a row has been neglected.
• Mileage consistency. Large jumps between tests can indicate clocking, which is more common in commercial vehicles than cars.
• Advisory items. Brake and suspension advisories on a van that covers 30,000 miles a year will become failures within months.
• Emissions failures. Diesel vans with blocked DPFs or faulty EGR valves are expensive to fix properly.

A pre-purchase inspection through BookMyGarage is particularly worthwhile for vans, where hidden problems under the load bay floor or in the chassis can be costly.

For any specific van model, you can check the full MOT data on our pass rate rankings page.