The picture
Transit: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 786,518 MOT tests, the Transit returns 68.6% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen damage. A number-plate lamp out and a corroded brake pipe round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 114,762, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
64,090 occurrences · 8.1% of tests
- 02
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
56,793 occurrences · 7.2% of tests
- 03
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
44,091 occurrences · 5.6% of tests
- 04
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
39,133 occurrences · 5.0% of tests
- 05
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
37,664 occurrences · 4.8% of tests
- 06
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
24,488 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
- 07
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
23,375 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 08
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
22,563 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 09
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
22,534 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 10
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
21,341 occurrences · 2.7% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£48–£125
If every one of this Transit's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Owner reports · Honest John
What owners actually report.
Verbatim faults logged by owners on honestjohn.co.uk over recent years. We didn't summarise — these are the words people typed in.
What's good
More refined and better to drive than most rivals. Punchy and efficient diesel engines. New interior technology from 2024.
Where it falls short
Other vans offer more overall load volume. Some rivals are fresher. Range-topping trim/engine combo expensive.
Buying or keeping a Transit?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Transit and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.