Ford Transit MOT Failures
An analysis of 1,234,524 real DVSA MOT tests on the Ford Transit — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Mk6 (2000–2013), Mk7 (2014–2024).
Where the Ford Transit fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Ford Transit is emissions failure — this model is 736 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 1,234,524 MOT tests, 0.8% of all Ford Transit tests recorded this as a failure.
Exhaust and emissions failures often point to catalytic converter degradation, lambda sensor faults, or — in diesel models — DPF problems. These can be expensive to fix and will cause an immediate MOT failure.
Other notable weak points include abs fault (405x the fleet average), sharp bodywork damage (238x the fleet average), coil springs broken (4371x the fleet average), and lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... (229x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Ford Transit'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 4 categories: Exhaust & Emissions, Suspension, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Ford Transit 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 Transit'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 Transit specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (4371x the average) and axle or kingpin wear (1468x). towbar fault (713x) and main load-bearing structural member modified or... (654x) 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.
For the Ford Transit specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (376x the average) and coil springs broken (283x). sharp bodywork damage (238x) and lamp showing red light to the front, white ligh... (182x) also appear frequently.
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.
For the Ford Transit specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (148x the average) and body modification (147x). coil springs broken (92x) and abs fault (80x) also appear frequently.
The shift from coil springs broken at lower mileages to emissions failure 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 Transit specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe corrosion (Mk6/Mk7) Dangerous
The rear subframe and suspension mounting points are prone to severe corrosion that compromises structural integrity. Affects Mk6, Mk7; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£3,000.
Driveshaft bearing wear (Mk6/Mk7) Major
The transmission shaft bearings wear prematurely on Transit vans, with MOT data showing 848x higher failure rates than the national average. Affects Mk6, Mk7; typical independent garage repair cost is £600–£1,200.
Leaf spring failure (Mk6/Mk7) Major
The rear leaf springs fracture at significantly higher rates than other commercial vehicles, with MOT data showing 182x-296x higher failure rates than the fleet average. Affects Mk6, Mk7; typical independent garage repair cost is £250–£500.
Turbo failure (Mk7) Major
The turbocharger on Duratorq diesel engines fails due to oil starvation, carbon build-up, or actuator problems. Affects Mk7.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Ford Transit common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Ford Transit
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Ford Transit:
Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Suspension — check for abs fault, coil springs broken, axle or kingpin wear. Bodywork — check for sharp bodywork damage, transmission shaft bearing housing, transmission shaft bearing worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe corrosion and driveshaft bearing wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £1,500. 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.
Looking at a specific Ford Transit?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Ford Transit MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Ford Transit?
Based on 1,234,524 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is emissions failure — at 736x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include abs fault and sharp bodywork damage.
Is the Ford Transit reliable based on MOT data?
The Ford Transit has 22 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Ford Transit most commonly fails on emissions failure and body modification. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are coil springs broken and axle or kingpin wear.
How do I check a Ford Transit's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
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.