Diesel Ford Transit: MOT pass rate

67.7% of diesel Ford Transits pass the MOT first time, measured across 544,555 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 120,130.

Diesel against the other Ford Transit versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Ford Transit specifically, lpg is the strongest at 70.7%, and this diesel version sits 0 points above the 67.7% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Ford Transit had covered 120,130 miles at test, against 88,126 for the petrol and 135,212 for the lpg. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Ford Transit page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Ford Transit

1. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 4.3% of tests (10.49x the national rate for this defect)
2. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 7% of tests (6.51x the national rate for this defect)
3. 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, 6.1% of tests (6.41x the national rate for this defect)
4. A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, 3.7% of tests (4.1x the national rate for this defect)
5. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 5.1% of tests (3.36x the national rate for this defect)
6. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 7.2% of tests (3.25x the national rate for this defect)
7. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.4% of tests (2.51x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 10.2% of tests (2.04x the national rate for this defect)
9. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2.6% of tests (2.03x the national rate for this defect)
10. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 3.8% of tests (1.75x the national rate for this defect)

From 551,481 DVSA-tracked diesel Ford Transit tests, 2024, split out from the Ford Transit's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.16% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Ford Transit

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.3% of tests (6.34x the national rate for this defect), also fails
2. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 7.9% of tests (6.33x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 34.2% of tests (5.52x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. A wheel bearing with excessive play, 2.8% of tests (4.27x the national rate for this defect)
5. 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, 4.6% of tests (3.01x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 13.7% of tests (2.46x the national rate for this defect)
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 30.7% of tests (2.29x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2.6% of tests (1.93x the national rate for this defect)
9. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 22.5% of tests (1.84x the national rate for this defect)
10. Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements, 2.4% of tests (1.79x the national rate for this defect)

From 551,481 DVSA-tracked diesel Ford Transit tests, 2024.

Other Ford Transit fuel types

• Petrol Ford Transit - 69.1%
• LPG Ford Transit - 70.7%

All Ford Transit MOT data · Every model