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Ford Transit Courier MOT pass rate and common problems

80.6% of 38,699 Ford Transit Courier MOT tests pass.

The Transit Courier has a pass rate of 80.6%, a little higher than the average across all Ford models (76.4%).

The Ford Transit Courier has a pass rate of 80.6%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).

Own this Ford Transit Courier?

This is the average across every Ford Transit Courier 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 declines noticeably with age, from 86.5% at 0–3 years to 69.6% at 10–15 years.

Pass rate by vehicle age band0–3 years86.5%3–6 years83.5%6–10 years76.8%10–15 years69.6%15+ yearsn/a
Ford Transit Courier pass rate and average mileage by vehicle age band
Vehicle agePass rateTestsAverage mileage
0–3 years86.5%3,88541,328 miles
3–6 years83.5%16,33162,859 miles
6–10 years76.8%18,17197,019 miles
10–15 years69.6%312112,248 miles
15+ yearsno tests recorded0no reading

Common MOT failure reasons for the Ford Transit Courier

The most common reason the Ford Transit Courier fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 63.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".

Top MOT failure categories for the Ford Transit Courier
CategoryShare of failed testsExample
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment63.7%Not working
Tyres26.9%Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Visibility20.4%Does not clear the windscreen effectively
Suspension16.9%Ball joint excessively worn
Brakes14.9%Less than 1.5 mm thick
Noise, emissions and leaks12.8%Inoperative or indicates a malfunction
Steering4.1%Ball joint has excessive play
Body, chassis, structure3.7%Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
Identification of the vehicle1.8%Does not conform to the specified requirements
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems0.8%Warning lamp indicates a fault

Buying a used Ford Transit Courier: what to check

These checks follow the Ford Transit Courier’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 Courier comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 76.8% to 69.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.

By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 80.9% down to 74.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.

  1. 1. Lights and electrics

    Recorded in 63.7% of failed Ford Transit Courier MOTs. 29.5% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 7.6% 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. 2. Tyres

    Recorded in 26.9% of failed Ford Transit Courier 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.

  3. 3. Windscreen and wipers

    Recorded in 20.4% of failed Ford Transit Courier MOTs.

    Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.

  4. 4. Suspension

    Recorded in 16.9% of failed Ford Transit Courier MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 14.4% of tests at 10–15 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.

  5. 5. Brakes

    Recorded in 14.9% of failed Ford Transit Courier MOTs.

    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.

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Transit Courier?
80.6% of Ford Transit Courier MOT tests pass, based on 38,699 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
What are the most common MOT failures for the Ford Transit Courier?
The most common reason the Ford Transit Courier fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 63.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
What are the common problems with the Ford Transit Courier?
Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Ford Transit Courier are lights and electrics; tyres; windscreen and wipers. 29.5% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 7.6% at 0–3 years.
What should I check when buying a used Ford Transit Courier?
Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; tyres; windscreen and wipers; suspension; brakes. 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 Courier'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.