Ford Transit Connect MOT pass rate and common problems
74.0% of 245,749 Ford Transit Connect MOT tests pass.
At 74.0%, the Transit Connect passes slightly less often than the average across all Ford models (76.4%).
The Ford Transit Connect passes 74.0% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Ford Transit Connect?
This is the average across every Ford Transit Connect in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Ford’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Ford Transit Connect tested at 0–3 years pass 85.6% of the time, compared with just 57.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 85.6% | 11,372 | 46,287 miles |
| 3–6 years | 82.6% | 56,720 | 65,501 miles |
| 6–10 years | 81.0% | 85,696 | 101,114 miles |
| 10–15 years | 65.1% | 39,295 | 125,614 miles |
| 15+ years | 57.6% | 52,666 | 143,451 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Ford Transit Connect
The most common reason the Ford Transit Connect fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 58.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 58.3% | Not working |
| Brakes | 44.8% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 36.0% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Body, chassis, structure | 28.0% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 26.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 20.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 7.1% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 4.0% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.7% | Inscription illegible |
Buying a used Ford Transit Connect: what to check
These checks follow the Ford Transit Connect’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Ford Transit Connect comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 81.0% to 65.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 73.0% down to 65.6%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 58.3% of failed Ford Transit Connect MOTs. 38.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 4.9% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 44.8% of failed Ford Transit Connect MOTs. 27.5% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 6.1% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 36.0% of failed Ford Transit Connect MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 36.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 28.0% of failed Ford Transit Connect MOTs. 30.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Tyres
Recorded in 26.3% of failed Ford Transit Connect MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Ford service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Ford models
- Ford Kuga — 85.6% pass rate
- Ford Mondeo — 73.4% pass rate
- Ford Ka — 72.6% pass rate
- Ford Transit Custom — 85.5% pass rate
- Ford Ranger — 81.3% pass rate
- Ford C-MAX — 75.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Transit Connect?
- 74.0% of Ford Transit Connect MOT tests pass, based on 245,749 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Ford Transit Connect?
- The most common reason the Ford Transit Connect fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 58.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Ford Transit Connect?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Ford Transit Connect are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. 38.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 4.9% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Ford Transit Connect?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; bodywork and corrosion; tyres. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Ford Transit Connect's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Ford service history guide for how to check and keep one.