2008 Ford Connect — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 317 MOT tests, the 2008 Ford Connect recorded a 66.3% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 26.2% of the time, so this is 7.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (20.5%) and suspension (17.7%) 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 position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 47 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2008 Connect fails 30.8% of the time in the 60-90k band and 29.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.4 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 29.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.5% | 65 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.7% | 56 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.1% | 51 |
| 4 | Brakes | 15.1% | 48 |
| 5 | Tyres | 10.1% | 32 |
| 6 | Visibility | 8.2% | 26 |
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 | 47 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 32 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 32 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 25 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 25 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 24 |
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 | 41.6% | 132 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.8% | 85 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 21.8% | 69 |
| 4 | Suspension | 21.4% | 68 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.8% | 66 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 55 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 39 | 30.8% |
| 90-120k | 91 | 38.5% |
| 120-150k | 73 | 37.0% |
| 150k+ | 92 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72 | 29.2% |
| 2022 | 76 | 35.5% |
| 2023 | 67 | 34.3% |
| 2024 | 58 | 37.9% |
| 2025 | 44 | 31.8% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Connect
On a 2008 Connect, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.7% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (16.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Ford Connects pass their MOT?
66.3% of the 317 2008 Ford Connect MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Ford Connect?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.5% of tests, followed by suspension (17.7%).
Does the 2008 Connect get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.8% in the 60-90k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 317 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.