MPV and people carrier · 2009–2021 cars
Ford Tourneo Custom reliability
The Ford Tourneo Custom fails 19.3% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 15,186 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Ford Tourneo Custom before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 19.3%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 14% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 15,186
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 12,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Ford Tourneo Custom ages
Each point is the share of Ford Tourneo Customs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Ford Tourneo Custom | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20.7% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 17.2% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 19.3% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 17.1% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst Ford Tourneo Custom years
2018 cars come out best and 2021 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tourneo Custom | 1,118 | 21.8% | 47% more fails | 39,608 |
| 2020 Tourneo Custom | 4,236 | 21.1% | 36% more fails | 42,338 |
| 2019 Tourneo Custom | 5,552 | 17.5% | 4% more fails | 48,207 |
| 2018 Tourneo Custom | 3,762 | 18.7% | 4% more fails | 53,375 |
| 2017 | 232 | 16.8% | 19% fewer fails | 63,190 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Ford Tourneo Custom
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 184% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics6.6%28% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.5%56% above avg
- Tyres4.8%8% below avg
- Brakes3.7%15% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure2%184% above avg
- Suspension1.9%12% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.3%2% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.7%83% above avg
- Wheels0.4%46% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.24% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.44% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.21% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure 1.05% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.01% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 6
Tyre pressure monitoring system faulty 0.86% of tests
A faulty tyre pressure monitor cannot warn about low tyre pressure, so check tyres manually and have the fault diagnosed.
- 7
Stop lamp not working 0.82% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 8
Headlamp aim set too low 0.81% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford Tourneo Custom's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit7.45%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.26%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.33%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.65%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.51%
- Anti-roll bar linkage pin/bush worn2.09%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Ford Tourneo Custom
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 4
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Ford Tourneo Custom covers about 12,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel99.6%
- Hybrid0.4%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, Grey, Blue, White
Average engine size: 2.0 litres.
Compare
How the Ford Tourneo Custom compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prius+ | 16.1% | 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Previa | 44% | about average for its age |
| Renault Megane Scenic | 41.4% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Tourneo Custom | 19.3% | 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Orlando | 40.6% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën Grand C4 Picasso | 50.5% | 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot Rifter | 18.9% | 56% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every mpv and people carrier ranked in the mpv and people carrier reliability index, or all Ford models.
Questions
Ford Tourneo Custom questions, answered
Is the Ford Tourneo Custom reliable?
On MOT results, the Ford Tourneo Custom is below average: it fails 19.3% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 33 of 49 mpv and people carrier models in our index.
What fails most on a Ford Tourneo Custom MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Ford Tourneo Custom are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.24% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.44% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.21% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 6.6% of its tests.
Which Ford Tourneo Custom year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2018 cars do best (4% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2021 cars do worst (47% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Ford Tourneo Custom do a year?
A typical Ford Tourneo Custom covers about 12,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Ford Tourneo Custom before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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