2021 Ford Transit 290 Ecoblue — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,358 MOT tests, the 2021 Ford Transit 290 Ecoblue recorded an 88.1% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 8.7% of the time, so this is 3.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.1% of all tests — 3.8 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are side repeaters, brake pads and headlamp aim — side repeaters alone was recorded 61 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.7% in the 0-30k band and 20.9% in the 120-150k band, a 14.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 110 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.3% | 59 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.1% | 56 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.6% | 49 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 27 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 19 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Side repeaters | 61 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 59 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 4 | Wipers | 32 |
| 5 | Washers | 19 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 19 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.3% | 275 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.4% | 196 |
| 3 | Visibility | 12.3% | 167 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 147 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.5% | 102 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 28 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 270 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 581 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 324 | 14.2% |
| 90-120k | 118 | 19.5% |
| 120-150k | 43 | 20.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 661 | 10.3% |
| 2025 | 688 | 13.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Transit 290 Ecoblue
On a 2021 Transit 290 Ecoblue, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.3% 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.
- Visibility (4.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2021 Ford Transit 290 Ecoblues pass their MOT?
88.1% of the 1,358 2021 Ford Transit 290 Ecoblue MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Ford Transit 290 Ecoblue?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.1% of tests, followed by brakes (4.3%).
Does the 2021 Transit 290 Ecoblue get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 20.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,358 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.