Ford Transit Custom MOT pass rate and common problems
85.5% of 224,563 Ford Transit Custom MOT tests pass.
The Transit Custom passes its MOT 85.5% of the time — well above the average across all Ford models, which sits at 76.4%.
The Ford Transit Custom passes its MOT 85.5% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Ford Transit Custom?
This is the average across every Ford Transit Custom 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 Custom tested at 0–3 years pass 84.7% of the time, compared with just 62.6% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 84.7% | 42,189 | 47,562 miles |
| 3–6 years | 86.1% | 166,411 | 65,643 miles |
| 6–10 years | 82.4% | 15,734 | 86,831 miles |
| 10–15 years | 62.6% | 219 | 127,464 miles |
| 15+ years | too few tests (10) | 10 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Ford Transit Custom
The most common reason the Ford Transit Custom fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 47.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 47.7% | Not working |
| Visibility | 32.8% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 28.0% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 23.0% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.1% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.9% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Suspension | 4.0% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Road Wheels | 2.1% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.0% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.2% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
Buying a used Ford Transit Custom: what to check
These checks follow the Ford Transit Custom’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 Custom comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 82.4% to 62.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 90.8% down to 86.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 47.7% of failed Ford Transit Custom MOTs. 29.2% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 10.2% 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. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 32.8% of failed Ford Transit Custom 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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 28.0% of failed Ford Transit Custom MOTs. 22.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 5.1% 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.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 23.0% of failed Ford Transit Custom 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.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 7.1% of failed Ford Transit Custom MOTs. 15.5% of tests at 10–15 years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 1.2% 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.
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 Mondeo — 73.4% pass rate
- Ford Ka — 72.6% pass rate
- Ford Transit Connect — 74.0% pass rate
- Ford Ranger — 81.3% pass rate
- Ford C-MAX — 75.3% pass rate
- Ford Ecosport — 86.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Transit Custom?
- 85.5% of Ford Transit Custom MOT tests pass, based on 224,563 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Ford Transit Custom?
- The most common reason the Ford Transit Custom fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 47.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Ford Transit Custom?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Ford Transit Custom are lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; brakes. 29.2% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 10.2% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Ford Transit Custom?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; brakes; tyres; bodywork and corrosion. 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 Custom'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.