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Ford Transit Connect reliability

The Ford Transit Connect fails 36% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 528,671 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 37/100#17 of 40 vans

Checking a Ford Transit Connect before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
36%
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
528,671
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
13,100
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Ford Transit Connect is a mixed buy. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 36%, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 14% more MOT fails. The year matters: 2014 is the best, with 3% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, and 2019 is the weakest, with 53% more. Body, chassis and structure is its weakest area, with 103% more fails than comparable cars.

That does not rule it out. A below-average model can still be a good buy if you check the right things. Look closely at the body and structure. On the car you're looking at, check that the stop lamps work, the wipers clear the windscreen, the tyre tread is above 1.6mm, and the suspension mounts are not seriously corroded.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Ford Transit Connect ages

Each point is the share of Ford Transit Connects of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%15%30%45%60%3579111315171921Age at MOT (years)
Ford Transit ConnectAll cars
Ford Transit Connect first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)Ford Transit ConnectAll cars
323.7%12.3%
424.9%14.1%
524%16.4%
624.9%19.1%
726.5%22.1%
828.7%25.5%
932.2%28.8%
1039.2%31.8%
1145.4%34.6%
1247.1%37.3%
1349.8%39.5%
1450.7%41.1%
1551.2%42.3%
1651.8%42.9%
1752%43.4%
1852.2%43.5%
1952.1%43.4%
2051%42.8%
2151.2%41.4%

By year

The best and worst Ford Transit Connect years

2014 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Ford Transit Connect MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
2021 Transit Connect3,10917.2%12% more fails43,067
2020 Transit Connect15,16124.4%49% more fails49,516
2019 Transit Connect36,69126.5%53% more fails55,317
2018 Transit Connect53,84223.9%25% more fails65,013
2017 Transit Connect58,26823.6%9% more fails76,705
2016 Transit Connect46,96425.5%2% more fails90,140
2015 Transit Connect46,65127.6%2% fewer fails98,685
2014 Transit Connect37,28830.4%3% fewer fails109,177
2013 Transit Connect14,91738.5%15% more fails105,304
2012 Transit Connect20,08242.2%17% more fails110,961
2011 Transit Connect20,14646.5%19% more fails122,819
2010 Transit Connect18,14149.6%21% more fails129,597
2009 Transit Connect18,56549.6%17% more fails124,510
2008 Transit Connect27,93950.8%15% more fails137,215
2007 Transit Connect32,15551.8%15% more fails141,839
2006 Transit Connect29,24952.1%15% more fails139,267
2005 Transit Connect21,31152.5%15% more fails140,621
2004 Transit Connect15,95952.2%14% more fails140,522
2003 Transit Connect11,07551.9%13% more fails142,631
2002 Transit Connect1,15551.6%14% more fails142,056

Common problems

What fails most on a Ford Transit Connect

Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 103% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Lights and electrics16.5%22% above avg
  • Brakes11.7%44% above avg
  • Suspension10.4%1% below avg
  • Body, chassis and structure8.7%103% above avg
  • Tyres8.1%14% above avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.4%46% above avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.1%29% above avg
  • Seat belts and airbags2.7%96% above avg
  • Steering1.6%31% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Stop lamp not working 3.51% of tests

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

  2. 2

    Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.48% of tests

    Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

  3. 3

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.27% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  4. 4

    Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 3.11% of tests

    Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.

  5. 5

    CV joint boot split or insecure 3.08% of tests

    A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.

  6. 6

    Position lamp not working 3% of tests

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  7. 7

    Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.6% of tests

    Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

  8. 8

    Registration plate lamp not working 2.52% of tests

    A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford Transit Connect's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit19.13%
  • Brake pipes corroded and greasy10.93%
  • Engine oil leak, not excessive9.92%
  • Brake pads wearing thin8.95%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored6.76%
  • Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.92%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Ford Transit Connect

  1. 1

    Stop lamp not working

    A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.

  2. 2

    Wiper blade not clearing windscreen

    Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

  3. 3

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  4. 4

    Suspension mounting area seriously corroded

    Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.

  5. 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. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical Ford Transit Connect covers about 13,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 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

  • Diesel98.8%
  • Petrol1.1%
  • LPG0.1%
  • Electric0%
  • Other0%

Most common colours

White, Silver, Blue, Grey, Black

Average engine size: 1.6 litres.

Compare

How the Ford Transit Connect compares with its rivals

Ford Transit Connect against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Volkswagen Caddy30.5%about average for its age
Ford Transit Connect36%14% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Combo41.4%29% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Renault Trafic41.5%30% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot Partner38.1%32% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Vivaro43.6%33% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën Berlingo41.9%37% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every van ranked in the van reliability index, or all Ford models.

Questions

Ford Transit Connect questions, answered

Is the Ford Transit Connect reliable?

On MOT results, the Ford Transit Connect is below average: it fails 36% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 17 of 40 van models in our index.

What fails most on a Ford Transit Connect MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Ford Transit Connect are stop lamp not working (3.51% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.48% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.27% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 16.5% of its tests.

Which Ford Transit Connect year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2014 cars do best (3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (53% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Ford Transit Connect do a year?

A typical Ford Transit Connect covers about 13,100 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 Transit Connect 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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