Van · 2014–2021 cars
Ford Transit Courier reliability
The Ford Transit Courier fails 29.5% of first MOT tests, 37% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 63,805 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Ford Transit Courier before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 29.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 37% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 63,805
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 13,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Ford Transit Courier ages
Each point is the share of Ford Transit Couriers of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Ford Transit Courier | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 22.7% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 24.2% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 28.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 31.5% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 35.8% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 37.2% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 38.2% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 38.1% | 31.8% |
By year
The best and worst Ford Transit Courier years
2014 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 937 | 22.3% | 60% more fails | 35,293 |
| 2020 Transit Courier | 4,270 | 26% | 58% more fails | 52,194 |
| 2019 Transit Courier | 10,257 | 22.4% | 32% more fails | 52,424 |
| 2018 Transit Courier | 13,048 | 24.4% | 33% more fails | 59,433 |
| 2017 Transit Courier | 12,097 | 30% | 41% more fails | 73,708 |
| 2016 Transit Courier | 8,605 | 35.2% | 46% more fails | 82,210 |
| 2015 Transit Courier | 11,095 | 36.8% | 32% more fails | 96,119 |
| 2014 Transit Courier | 3,496 | 37% | 22% more fails | 105,128 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Ford Transit Courier
Its weak spot is lights and electrics: 125% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics16.1%125% above avg
- Tyres6.9%12% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.4%69% above avg
- Suspension4.9%13% above avg
- Brakes4%10% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.7%88% above avg
- Steering1.2%39% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.2%9% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.5%56% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Stop lamp not working 5.84% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.11% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Dipped beam headlamp not working 3.02% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.56% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 5
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.95% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 6
Registration plate lamp not working 1.93% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.85% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 8
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.65% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford Transit Courier's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit17.73%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.3%
- Brake disc pitted or scored3.9%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.54%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit2.38%
- Nail in tyre, monitor2.34%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Ford Transit Courier
- 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
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Dipped beam headlamp not working
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 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 Transit Courier covers about 13,100 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
- Diesel90%
- Petrol10%
Most common colours
White, Silver, Blue, Grey, Black
Average engine size: 1.5 litres.
Compare
How the Ford Transit Courier compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Hiace | 35.4% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | 29.2% | 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Master | 34.9% | about average for its age |
| Citroën Nemo | 41.5% | 22% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot Bipper | 41.8% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Transit Courier | 29.5% | 37% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz Citan | 37.2% | 52% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every van ranked in the van reliability index, or all Ford models.
Questions
Ford Transit Courier questions, answered
Is the Ford Transit Courier reliable?
On MOT results, the Ford Transit Courier is well below average: it fails 29.5% of first MOT tests, 37% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 34 of 40 van models in our index.
What fails most on a Ford Transit Courier MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Ford Transit Courier are stop lamp not working (5.84% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.11% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (3.02% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 16.1% of its tests.
Which Ford Transit Courier year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2014 cars do best (22% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (58% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Ford Transit Courier do a year?
A typical Ford Transit Courier 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 Courier 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.
Found a Ford Transit Courier? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.