Ford Transit Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Ford Transit passes its MOT first time on 62.1% of tests, 5.1 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (67.1%). That puts it ahead of 25% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2014 Transit does best (beats 41% of cars) and the 2012 worst (beats 7%).

Of its engines, the 2.4 Diesel does best (beats 37%) and the 2.2 Diesel worst (beats 23%).

Better than average on tyres.

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics1.4×as often as a typical car

Brakes1.5×as often as a typical car

Brake pipes4.3×as often as a typical car

Number plate lights2.4×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Ford TransitTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 2%

Beats 2%

Beats 3%

Beats 4%

Beats 6%

Beats 6%

Beats 19%

Beats 32%

Beats 40%

Beats 48%

Beats 50%

Beats 60%

Beats 61%

Beats 53%

Beats 50%

Beats 48%

Beats 48%

Beats 43%

Beats 39%

Beats 33%

Beats 27%

Beats 23%

Beats 19%

Beats 15%

Beats 7%

Beats 9%

Beats 41%

Beats 39%

Beats 33%

Beats 21%

Beats 16%

Beats 6%

Beats 13%

Beats 7%

Beats 4%

Beats 2%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	2006–2018	2,103,256	60.4%	Beats 23%	D
2.0 Diesel	2001–2023	928,100	68.7%	Beats 24%	D
2.4 Diesel	2000–2012	294,551	53.9%	Beats 37%	D
2.5 Diesel	1989–2001	67,858	60.7%	Beats 43%	C
2.0 Petrol	1988–1991	5,933	57.3%	Beats 3%	E
1.5 Diesel	2014–2014	1,236	65.8%	Beats 15%	E

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Lights: 19.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 14.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

19.9% vs 14.2%

Suspension

13.2% vs 10.7%

Brakes

12.4% vs 8.3%

Body & structure

9.1% vs 4.0%

Visibility

7.8% vs 5.3%

Tyres

5.6% vs 7.5%

Emissions & leaks

4.8% vs 3.9%

Steering

2.8% vs 2.4%

Seat belts & airbags

2.2% vs 1.3%

Wheels

0.3% vs 0.5%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Number plate lights 2.4× typical
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
Suspension arm bushes 2.1× typical
Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
Brake pads 1.5× typical
Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
Windscreen wipers 1.5× typical
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Tyre damage & cracking
Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Ford TransitTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Sidelights	6.1%	3.6%	1.7×
Brake lights	5.5%	2.6%	2.1×
Number plate lights	5.0%	2.1%	2.4×
Brake pipes	3.9%	0.9%	4.3×
Brake pads	3.8%	2.6%	1.5×
Drive shaft (CV) joints	3.7%	1.7%	2.2×
Headlight aim	3.5%	3.8%	0.9×
Windscreen wipers	3.3%	2.2%	1.5×
Component mounting prescribed areas	3.2%	0.6%	5.4×
Windscreen washers	3.2%	2.5%	1.3×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	58.4
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	50.7
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	46.2
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps	43.6
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc	38.0
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded	35.9
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	34.8
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	34.3

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Ford Transit1 engine73.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	10,001	73.9%	Beats 2%	E

2022 Ford Transit1 engine75.4% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	36,942	75.4%	Beats 4%	E

2021 Ford Transit1 engine77.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	5,413	77.9%	Beats 7%	E

2020 Ford Transit1 engine78.3% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	7,347	78.3%	Beats 13%	E

2019 Ford Transit1 engine71.0% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	65,837	71.0%	Beats 6%	E

2018 Ford Transit2 engines72.6% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	188,548	72.4%	Beats 15%	E
2.2 Diesel	4,198	79.9%	Beats 31%	D

2017 Ford Transit2 engines72.7% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	360,154	72.7%	Beats 21%	D
2.2 Diesel	10,713	74.0%	Beats 33%	D

2016 Ford Transit2 engines72.4% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	307,722	72.1%	Beats 33%	D
2.0 Diesel	89,085	73.5%	Beats 33%	D

2015 Ford Transit1 engine70.9% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	374,706	70.9%	Beats 39%	D

2014 Ford Transit2 engines67.7% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	299,670	67.7%	Beats 41%	C
1.5 Diesel	1,236	65.8%	Beats 15%	E

2013 Ford Transit1 engine55.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	226,809	55.9%	Beats 9%	E

2012 Ford Transit3 engines50.7% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	172,752	50.6%	Beats 7%	E
2.4 Diesel	7,032	53.5%	Beats 19%	E
2.0 Diesel	1,895	48.1%	Beats 4%	E

2011 Ford Transit3 engines51.3% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	173,980	51.4%	Beats 13%	E
2.4 Diesel	40,060	51.2%	Beats 19%	E
2.0 Diesel	1,961	51.3%	Beats 15%	E

2010 Ford Transit3 engines50.8% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	146,533	50.5%	Beats 18%	E
2.4 Diesel	32,773	52.1%	Beats 26%	D
2.0 Diesel	2,063	50.9%	Beats 22%	D

2009 Ford Transit3 engines50.2% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	103,444	49.8%	Beats 22%	D
2.4 Diesel	29,043	51.8%	Beats 26%	D
2.0 Diesel	1,215	50.5%	Beats 23%	D

2008 Ford Transit2 engines49.6% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	132,335	48.6%	Beats 24%	D
2.4 Diesel	35,015	53.6%	Beats 38%	D

2007 Ford Transit2 engines50.6% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	110,790	49.4%	Beats 31%	D
2.4 Diesel	36,006	54.3%	Beats 41%	C

2006 Ford Transit3 engines51.2% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.2 Diesel	39,604	49.5%	Beats 37%	D
2.0 Diesel	34,176	49.6%	Beats 35%	D
2.4 Diesel	26,611	55.9%	Beats 49%	C

2005 Ford Transit2 engines51.9% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	37,494	49.5%	Beats 39%	D
2.4 Diesel	20,502	56.2%	Beats 51%	C

2004 Ford Transit2 engines52.2% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	26,725	50.0%	Beats 46%	C
2.4 Diesel	16,983	55.7%	Beats 50%	C

2003 Ford Transit2 engines51.8% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	25,517	49.6%	Beats 47%	C
2.4 Diesel	18,667	54.7%	Beats 49%	C

2002 Ford Transit2 engines52.9% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	21,181	49.9%	Beats 48%	C
2.4 Diesel	16,984	56.8%	Beats 55%	C

2001 Ford Transit3 engines54.5% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	12,546	51.6%	Beats 52%	C
2.4 Diesel	11,703	56.9%	Beats 52%	C
2.5 Diesel	1,060	62.5%	Beats 67%	B

2000 Ford Transit2 engines59.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	9,879	61.4%	Beats 65%	B
2.4 Diesel	3,172	55.3%	Beats 45%	C

1999 Ford Transit1 engine61.7% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	10,827	61.7%	Beats 60%	B

1998 Ford Transit1 engine60.6% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	10,050	60.6%	Beats 50%	C

1997 Ford Transit1 engine60.8% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	8,761	60.8%	Beats 48%	C

1996 Ford Transit1 engine60.2% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	7,987	60.2%	Beats 40%	C

1995 Ford Transit1 engine60.7% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	6,728	60.7%	Beats 32%	D

1994 Ford Transit1 engine61.6% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	4,148	61.6%	Beats 19%	E

1993 Ford Transit1 engine57.2% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	1,857	57.2%	Beats 6%	E

1992 Ford Transit1 engine59.5% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	1,920	59.5%	Beats 6%	E

1991 Ford Transit2 engines58.6% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	1,400	57.6%	Beats 3%	E
2.0 Petrol	1,159	59.8%	Beats 6%	E

1990 Ford Transit2 engines58.3% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	1,662	57.5%	Beats 3%	E
2.5 Diesel	1,629	59.2%	Beats 3%	E

1989 Ford Transit2 engines57.6% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	1,790	56.4%	Beats 2%	E
2.5 Diesel	1,612	58.9%	Beats 3%	E

1988 Ford Transit1 engine56.0% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	1,322	56.0%	Beats 2%	E

FAQ

What is the Ford Transit MOT pass rate?

62.1% of MOT tests on the Ford Transit were passed first time, based on 3,400,934 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1988–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 67.1% of the time.

Is the Ford Transit reliable?

On MOT results it rates D (below average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 25% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Ford Transit year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2014 Transit does best for its age and mileage: it beats 41% of cars on UK roads. The 2012 does worst: it beats 7%.

Which Ford Transit engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.4 Diesel does best: it beats 37% of cars on UK roads. The 2.2 Diesel does worst: it beats 23%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Ford Transit?

The most common failure items are sidelights, brake lights, number plate lights. Compared with similar cars, brake pipes comes up 4.3× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Ford Transit reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ