Van · 2002–2021 cars
Ford Transit Custom reliability
The Ford Transit Custom fails 20.7% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 299,505 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Ford Transit Custom before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 20.7%
- 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
- 299,505
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 13,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Ford Transit Custom has a first-time MOT fail rate of 20.7%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 14% more MOT fails. It ranks 18 of 40 van models. Check the right things and it can still be a good buy. Model year matters too. Cars from 2018 have 8% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2021 cars have 38% more.
The weakest area is body, chassis and structure, with 92% more fails than comparable cars. Look closely at the bodywork and underneath before you buy. Then work through the most common faults: wiper blades that do not clear the windscreen, brake pads worn below 1.5mm, a dipped beam headlamp that does not work, and tyres cut to the ply or cords.
MOT fail rate by age
How the Ford Transit Custom ages
Each point is the share of Ford Transit Customs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Ford Transit Custom | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20.4% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 20.3% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 20.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 23.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 29.8% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 33.6% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 39.6% | 28.8% |
By year
The best and worst Ford Transit 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 Transit Custom | 18,337 | 21.3% | 38% more fails | 44,109 |
| 2020 Transit Custom | 57,588 | 20.2% | 20% more fails | 51,610 |
| 2019 Transit Custom | 120,857 | 20.3% | 14% more fails | 58,065 |
| 2018 Transit Custom | 99,644 | 21.1% | 8% more fails | 67,014 |
| 2017 | 786 | 28.1% | 32% more fails | 71,464 |
| 2016 | 986 | 27.2% | 9% more fails | 87,271 |
| 2015 | 624 | 35.1% | 28% more fails | 93,330 |
| 2014 | 407 | 34.6% | 12% more fails | 99,570 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Ford Transit Custom
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 92% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics7.9%43% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.8%84% above avg
- Brakes4.7%33% above avg
- Tyres4.4%22% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.5%92% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.2%18% below avg
- Suspension0.9%62% below avg
- Wheels0.4%28% above avg
- Steering0.3%23% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.62% 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 2.21% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.87% of tests
A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.
- 4
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.22% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.12% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 6
Registration plate lamp not working 0.89% of tests
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
- 7
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.82% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 8
Stop lamp not working 0.81% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford Transit Custom's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit8.62%
- Brake pads wearing thin8.44%
- Brake disc pitted or scored5.38%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.89%
- Brake discs showing some wear2.78%
- Nail in tyre, monitor1.97%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Ford Transit 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
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
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.
- 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 Custom covers about 13,700 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
- Diesel99.9%
- Hybrid0.1%
- Petrol0%
- Other0%
Most common colours
White, Grey, Silver, Black, Blue
Average engine size: 2.0 litres.
Compare
How the Ford Transit Custom compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Fiat Ducato | 25.8% | 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz Vito | 33.7% | 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Transit Custom | 20.7% | 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Combo | 41.4% | 29% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Trafic | 41.5% | 30% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot Partner | 38.1% | 32% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Renault Kangoo | 46.4% | 39% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every van ranked in the van reliability index, or all Ford models.
Questions
Ford Transit Custom questions, answered
Is the Ford Transit Custom reliable?
On MOT results, the Ford Transit Custom is below average: it fails 20.7% of first MOT tests, 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 18 of 40 van models in our index.
What fails most on a Ford Transit Custom MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Ford Transit Custom are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.62% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (2.21% of tests), dipped beam headlamp not working (1.87% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 7.9% of its tests.
Which Ford Transit Custom year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2018 cars do best (8% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2021 cars do worst (38% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Ford Transit Custom do a year?
A typical Ford Transit Custom covers about 13,700 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 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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