Ford Tourneo Custom MOT Failures

An analysis of 11,614 real DVSA MOT tests on the Ford Tourneo Custom — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: MK1 (2012–2024).

Where the Ford Tourneo Custom fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Ford Tourneo Custom is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 14 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 11,614 MOT tests, 4.18% of all Ford Tourneo Custom tests recorded this as a failure.

Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.

Other notable weak points include seat mounting fault (24x the fleet average) and brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator (6.3x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Ford Tourneo Custom's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.

The failures span 3 categories: Suspension, Seatbelts & Airbags, Brakes. If you're inspecting a Ford Tourneo Custom before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.

How failures change with mileage

The Ford Tourneo Custom's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.

Under 60,000 miles

At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.

For the Ford Tourneo Custom specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are seat mounting fault (24x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (14x). brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator (6.3x) and brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator also appear frequently.

60,000 to 100,000 miles

This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.

The standout failure at this mileage is anti-roll bar links worn at 13x the fleet average.

Over 100,000 miles

High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.

The standout failure at this mileage is anti-roll bar links worn at 7.5x the fleet average.

The shift from seat mounting fault at lower mileages to anti-roll bar links worn at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.

Known issues beyond the MOT

An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Ford Tourneo Custom specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Front suspension component wear (MK1) Major

This is likely due to the commercial vehicle chassis design and loading patterns typical in passenger transport use. Affects MK1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.

Brake disc wear (MK1) Major

Brake discs on the Tourneo Custom wear at 2.6 times the national average, with the trend worsening in recent data. Affects MK1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£350.

Brake pad wear (MK1) Major

Brake pads on the Tourneo Custom reach the wear indicator at 6.4 times the national fleet average, with peak failures occurring between 40,000-60,000 miles. Affects MK1; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£200.

CV joint boot deterioration (MK1)

Constant velocity joint boots on the Tourneo Custom fail at 5.2 times the fleet average for severe deterioration and 2.5 times average for complete failure. Affects MK1; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£150.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Ford Tourneo Custom common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Ford Tourneo Custom

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Ford Tourneo Custom:

Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Brakes — check for brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about front suspension component wear and brake disc wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.

Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.

MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.