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Ford Transit Custom years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

175,522 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2018–2022 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 5 Ford Transit Custom years have MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

77.3%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 77.1% to 77.5%.

In 2025, 77.3% of the 175,522 initial MOT tests on Ford Transit Custom cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 85.3%. That is 8.0 points below the same-age average.

Check a specific Transit Custom

Its own MOT history, free.

Ford Transit Custom MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2022age 332,01544,60077.3%±0.5−11.2 ptsall: 88.5%
2021age 441,57956,60078.4%±0.4−8.8 ptsall: 87.2%
2020age 532,96665,60078.1%±0.5−7.9 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 641,31877,10077.1%±0.5−6.4 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 727,64487,10075.0%±0.6−5.9 ptsall: 80.9%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Ford Transit Custom first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

85.4% of Ford Transit Custom tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 71.1% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 90.4% and 76.4%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,00018,51385.4%±0.6−4.9 ptsall: 90.4%
30,000–59,99959,65079.8%±0.4−5.0 ptsall: 84.8%
60,000–89,99953,56175.9%±0.4−3.8 ptsall: 79.7%
90,000–119,99927,82772.8%±0.6−3.8 ptsall: 76.6%
120,000 or more15,92671.1%±0.8−5.3 ptsall: 76.4%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Transit Custom tests were below average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Ford Transit Custom tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 45 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Transit Custom problems at the MOT

Share of the 39,830 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a Transit Custom

Based on the areas where Ford Transit Custom MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 42.7% of failed Transit Custom tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Windscreen, wipers, mirrors

    In 26.8% of failed Transit Custom tests

    • Look for chips and cracks in the windscreen, especially in front of the driver.
    • Run the wipers and washers. The blades should clear the screen without smearing.
    • Check both door mirrors and the rear-view mirror are intact and adjust.

  3. Brakes

    In 23.0% of failed Transit Custom tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

  4. Tyres

    In 22.1% of failed Transit Custom tests

    • Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
    • Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
    • Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Transit Custom's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Ford Transit Custom cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Ford Transit Custom cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 6.3% failed on tyres, against 4.2% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 12,487 and 68,232 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory6.3%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.2%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 14.2% of those with a tyre advisory and 13.6% of the others.

Brakes

Of Ford Transit Custom cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.0% failed on brakes, against 4.4% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 13,075 and 67,528 cars.

  • With a brake advisory7.0%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.4%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 14.0% of those with a brake advisory and 13.6% of the others.

Suspension

Of Ford Transit Custom cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.0% failed on suspension, against 1.4% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,869 and 78,492 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory7.0%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted1.4%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 15.9% of those with a suspension advisory and 13.6% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Ford Transit Custom questions

Which Ford Transit Custom years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2018–2022. None is clearly above average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Ford Transit Custom reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 77.3% of initial MOT tests on Ford Transit Custom cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 85.3%. That is 8.0 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Ford Transit Custom problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 42.7% of failed tests), windscreen, wipers, mirrors (in 26.8% of failed tests) and brakes (in 23.0% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 3-year-old Ford Transit Custom?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Ford Transit Custom cars first used in 2022, about 3 years old, had a median of 44,600 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Transit Custom's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Ford Transit Custom

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Ford models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 25 Ford modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Ford Transit Custom cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count