Ford Transit
From 937,812 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Newer Transits fare better: 2021 models pass at 83.7% vs 66% for 1988.
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired and brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 56,081 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 56,081 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 42,236 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 39,365 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 39,153 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 28,514 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 28,174 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 22,915 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 19,895 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 19,613 |
| stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 18,483 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 31.5% of Transit failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 36.7% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £164.
The warranty question
A 3-year-old Transit passes its MOT 84.7% of the time. By 7 years old that drops to 75.2%, a 9.5 percentage point fall, right as the manufacturer warranty runs out. At 10 years it's down to 67.2%. With an average repair bill of £164 when things go wrong, an extended warranty can make sense on a Transit that's past its third birthday.
Ford Transit on UK roads
The fleet is growing: 36,304 newly registered in the past year with 33,749 leaving, a net gain of 2,555.
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 452,536 | 137,495 | +10,477 | -6,452 | +4,025 |
| 2025 Q2 | 450,052 | 135,954 | +8,344 | -7,719 | +625 |
| 2025 Q1 | 448,878 | 136,503 | +8,467 | -7,903 | +564 |
| 2024 Q4 | 449,515 | 135,302 | +9,016 | -11,675 | -2,659 |
| 2024 Q3 | 454,670 | 132,806 | +9,429 | -8,537 | +892 |
| 2024 Q2 | 455,072 | 131,512 | +8,311 | -7,301 | +1,010 |
| 2024 Q1 | 454,054 | 131,520 | +9,155 | -9,309 | -154 |
| 2023 Q4 | 456,886 | 128,842 | +6,441 | -8,766 | -2,325 |
20 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transit 350 Leader Ecoblue | Diesel | 102,848 | 32% |
| Transit 350 | Diesel | 93,477 | 29% |
| Transit 350 Trend Ecoblue | Diesel | 22,340 | 7% |
| Transit 125 T350 Rwd | Diesel | 12,054 | 4% |
| Transit 115 T350L Rwd | Diesel | 10,697 | 3% |
| Transit 350 Lwb | Diesel | 8,013 | 2% |
| Transit 100 T350 Rwd | Diesel | 7,051 | 2% |
| Transit 100 T280 Fwd | Diesel | 6,675 | 2% |
| Transit 100 T350L Rwd | Battery Electric | 6,588 | 2% |
| Transit 85 T280M Fwd | Diesel | 5,622 | 2% |
| Transit 85 T280S Fwd | Diesel | 5,555 | 2% |
| Transit 85 T260M Fwd | Petrol | 5,492 | 2% |
| Transit 350 Trend | Diesel | 5,206 | 2% |
| Transit 290 | Diesel | 5,196 | 2% |
| Transit 100 T350M Rwd | Diesel | 4,954 | 2% |
| Transit 100 T260 Fwd | Diesel | 4,796 | 1% |
| Transit 85 T260S Fwd | Diesel | 4,687 | 1% |
| Transit 350 Limited Ecoblue | Diesel | 4,579 | 1% |
| Transit 350 Lwb Td | Diesel | 4,533 | 1% |
| Transit 350 Limited Ecoblue A | Diesel | 4,180 | 1% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 83.7% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources |
| 2020 | 84.7% | a tyre seriously damaged, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2019 | 77.2% | a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2018 | 76.9% | a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
33 earlier years
| 2017 | 75.7% | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2016 | 75.2% | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2015 | 74.2% | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2014 | 72.1% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2013 | 67.2% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2012 | 64.2% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2011 | 63.7% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 2010 | 63.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired |
| 2009 | 63.7% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2008 | 63.4% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2007 | 64.8% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2006 | 64.3% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2005 | 64.2% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2004 | 64.5% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2003 | 62.7% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2002 | 65.9% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2001 | 64.3% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 2000 | 67.9% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1999 | 70.7% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1998 | 68.1% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1997 | 67.9% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1996 | 68.5% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1995 | 68.4% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1994 | 69.4% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1993 | 71.5% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1992 | 66.6% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1991 | 64.8% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
| 1990 | 67.2% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1989 | 66.7% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1988 | 66% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1987 | 66.4% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1986 | 77.3% | vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led |
| 1985 | 82.2% | the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all Transits tested had between 75,126 and 145,184 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 121,889 median miles, the Transit has 0.024 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Ford models
| Ford Fiesta | 72.9% |
| Ford Focus | 74.7% |
| Ford Kuga | 82.2% |
| Ford Mondeo | 73.8% |
| Ford Ka | 73% |
Common questions
What is the Ford Transit MOT pass rate?
The Ford Transit has a 70.4% MOT pass rate based on 937,812 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Ford Transit?
The most common MOT failure on the Ford Transit is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 56,081 failures. Other common issues include the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired.
How many Ford Transits are on UK roads?
There are 452,536 Ford Transits currently licensed on UK roads, with 137,495 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Ford Transit at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Ford Transit is 121,889 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 75,126 and 145,184 miles.
Buying a used Transit?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 70.4% pass rate and an average repair bill of £164 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 31.5% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.