Ford Transit Custom MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 104,576 MOT tests on the Ford Transit Custom carried out in 2023. 21% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 8 in 10 Transit Customs passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2014 to 2022. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2022 models did best (96% passed, +3.3 points against the average for 1-year-old cars), while 2015 models fared worst (63%, −12.7 points). Tested cars had covered 58,001 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 7.6% of tests (slightly below the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "does not clear the windscreen effectively", on 4.8% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 104,576
- First-time pass rate
- 79%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +7.2 points
- Average mileage at test
- 58,001
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Transit Custom?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Transit Custom MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 52 | 96% | 93% | +3.3 points | 17,673 |
| 2021 | 948 | 82% | 91% | −9.2 points | 41,991 |
| 2020 | 32,386 | 79% | 88% | −8.7 points | 46,038 |
| 2019 | 42,305 | 79% | 86% | −7.6 points | 58,452 |
| 2018 | 27,983 | 78% | 84% | −6.0 points | 70,636 |
| 2017 | 232 | 78% | 82% | −3.7 points | 74,679 |
| 2016 | 287 | 78% | 79% | −0.9 points | 89,219 |
| 2015 | 188 | 63% | 75% | −12.7 points | 100,744 |
| 2014 | 112 | 64% | 72% | −7.4 points | 115,230 |
Why the Ford Transit Custom fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Transit Custom | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 7.6% | 11.3% |
| Visibility | 7.5% | 4.8% |
| Brakes | 5.1% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 4.9% | 6.3% |
| Body and structure | 1.3% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.2% | 3.1% |
| Suspension | 0.7% | 8.9% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.3% | 0.4% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.3% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.3% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1does not clear the windscreen effectively4.8%
- 2less than 1.5 mm thick3.0%
- 3not working2.1%
- 4not working on dipped beam2.0%
- 5has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.6%
- 6tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
- 7too high1.3%
- 8provides insufficient washer liquid1.1%
- 9inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.0%
- 10inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.9%
Common Transit Custom MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Transit Custom, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 11.2% |
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 10.8% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 6.3% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 4.5% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 3.4% |
| Nail in tyre | Non-component advisories | 2.5% |
| has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.9% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 1.7% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 1.6% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 1.4% |
Tips to help your Transit Custom pass
Based on where Transit Customs most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 7.6% of Transit Custom tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Visibility · 7.5% of Transit Custom tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Brakes · 5.1% of Transit Custom tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the Transit Custom ULEZ compliant? See the Ford Transit Custom ULEZ check, or view all Ford models.
Other Ford models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 104,576 first MOT tests of the Ford Transit Custom carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 104,576 first MOT tests of the Ford Transit Custom.
What is the Ford Transit Custom MOT failure rate?
In our data, 21% of 104,576 first MOT attempts on the Ford Transit Custom ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Ford Transit Custom fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (7.6% of tests), visibility (7.5% of tests), brakes (5.1% of tests).
Which Transit Custom year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2022 cars performed best: 96% passed first time, +3.3 points against the average for 1-year-old cars. The weakest was 2015, at 63% (−12.7 points).
How many miles had a typical Ford Transit Custom covered at its MOT?
The average was 58,001 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2022 cars averaged 17,673 miles and 2014 cars 115,230.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Ford Transit Custom?
"less than 1.5 mm thick" was recorded on 11.2% of tests, in the brakes area. 5.1% of Transit Customs failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Transit Custom's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 104,576 Transit Customs in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 63% to 96% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
Check any Transit Custom's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.