Ford Connect MOT pass rate & common failures
The Ford Connect appears in 1,315 MOT tests spanning model years 2003–2018, and 65.9% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (26.3% fail rate), the Connect comes out 7.9pp worse. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (21.0%) and suspension (18.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rigid brake pipes and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 187 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.2% in the 30-60k band and 34.4% in the 150k+ band, a 15.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 43.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 32.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 34.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Connect model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 86 | 62.8% | 37.2% | Suspension |
| 2005 | 100 | 61.0% | 39.0% | Suspension |
| 2006 | 68 | 67.7% | 32.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2007 | 431 | 67.5% | 32.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2008 | 317 | 66.3% | 33.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2009 | 178 | 61.2% | 38.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2010 | 40 | 75.0% | 25.0% | Brakes |
| 2011 | 54 | 61.1% | 38.9% | Brakes |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.0% | 276 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.9% | 248 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.2% | 213 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.7% | 207 |
| 5 | Tyres | 8.4% | 110 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.8% | 102 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 90 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.6% | 74 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 187 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 128 |
| 3 | Joints | 101 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 98 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 96 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 92 |
| 7 | Prescribed areas | 89 |
| 8 | Headlamp | 81 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 43.8% | 576 |
| 2 | Tyres | 33.6% | 442 |
| 3 | Suspension | 28.1% | 369 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 26.0% | 342 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 23.9% | 314 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.7% | 299 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 52 | 19.2% |
| 60-90k | 122 | 32.8% |
| 90-120k | 294 | 39.5% |
| 120-150k | 340 | 32.4% |
| 150k+ | 486 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 328 | 32.0% |
| 2022 | 325 | 35.7% |
| 2023 | 277 | 34.3% |
| 2024 | 216 | 34.7% |
| 2025 | 169 | 34.3% |
What to check before buying a Ford Connect
- Lighting & signalling (21.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (16.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Connect?
65.9% of the 1,315 Ford Connect MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 34.1% fail rate, across model years 2003–2018.
What does the Ford Connect most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.0% of tests, then suspension (18.9%).
How much does mileage affect Connect MOT results?
Fail rates run at 19.2% for cars in the 30-60k band and 34.4% for 150k+, a 15.1-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,315 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.