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FORD TRANSIT Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 16,239 MOT tests from 1,135 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every FORD TRANSIT has the same fault.

FORD TRANSIT's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 552/999. The score was calculated from the average of every FORD TRANSIT that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the FORD TRANSIT.

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Check the reliability of your Ford Transit

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Ford Transit side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Diesel2019712/999Very good82,188 miles29,552 vehicles
Diesel2016665/999Good82,609 miles43,895 vehicles
Diesel2015630/999Good83,397 miles56,338 vehicles
Diesel2013520/999Above average86,446 miles46,562 vehicles
Diesel2010401/999Average88,667 miles29,148 vehicles
Diesel2009364/999Fair88,789 miles21,809 vehicles
Diesel2005384/999Fair91,386 miles22,107 vehicles
Diesel2002387/999Fair94,444 miles22,329 vehicles
Diesel2000412/999Average103,148 miles22,098 vehicles
Diesel1997499/999Average121,754 miles4,145 vehicles
Diesel1996543/999Above average137,464 miles1,338 vehicles
Diesel1994577/999Above average127,817 miles503 vehicles
Diesel1988643/999Good124,646 miles532 vehicles
Petrol1987669/999Good121,534 miles577 vehicles
Diesel1986648/999Good124,291 miles684 vehicles
Petrol1986665/999Good109,112 miles749 vehicles
Petrol1983665/999Good99,560 miles668 vehicles

How reliable is the FORD TRANSIT?

Based on 16,239 MOT tests from 1,135 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

1,135

MOT tests

16,239

Pass rate

70.5%

Median mileage

123,381 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every FORD TRANSIT has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 520 out of 999.

Common FORD TRANSIT MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,588 advisory comments and 251 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,016 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 987 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 782 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 686 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 592 advisory comments and 69 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 508 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 329 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (1.4.2 (A) (I))

FORD TRANSIT MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
202670—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025204100%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
202411475%Brake pad wear
202371070%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2022132979.3%Tyre wear, Headlamp faults
20213011868.6%Tyre wear, Indicator faults
20202010978%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20193318178.5%Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
20185037678.5%Brake pad wear, Brake disc wear
20174839378.1%Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
20166257778.3%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20157071877.2%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20145770974.9%Corrosion, Brake disc wear
20136899269.5%Suspension arm issues, Lamp and bulb faults
201285136366.3%Corrosion, Lamp and bulb faults
201194154868.6%Corrosion, Oil leak
201085145570.9%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20094993569.4%Corrosion, Tyre wear
200848101465.9%Corrosion, Lamp and bulb faults
200750104367.6%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20062956568.7%Corrosion, Oil leak
20051637971.2%Corrosion, Oil leak
20041229969.9%Corrosion, Oil leak
20031640570.4%Suspension arm issues, Windscreen damage
20021331070.3%Corrosion, Tyre wear
20011434772.9%Tyre wear, Corrosion
20001435073.7%Tyre wear, Corrosion
19991230973.5%Corrosion, Oil leak
1998511772.6%Brake disc wear, Corrosion
1996820064.5%Oil leak, Corrosion
19951018274.7%Shock absorber issues, Corrosion

What to check when buying a used FORD TRANSIT

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Buying a FORD TRANSIT?

Common problems tell you what can affect FORD TRANSITs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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