2004 Ford Transit Connect — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 32,997 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Ford Transit Connect, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 66.5% was below the average for vans of a similar age (70.1%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.5% | 7,425 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.9% | 6,573 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.9% | 5,261 |
| 4 | Brakes | 13.9% | 4,600 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.7% | 2,539 |
| 6 | Tyres | 7.4% | 2,435 |
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 | 5,744 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 2,898 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,875 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 2,746 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 2,550 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 2,483 |
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 | 43.7% | 14,409 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.6% | 11,409 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.9% | 10,534 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 31.4% | 10,346 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 27.4% | 9,031 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.9% | 8,217 |
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 | 151 | 40.4% |
| 30-60k | 705 | 25.0% |
| 60-90k | 2,875 | 29.0% |
| 90-120k | 6,790 | 33.2% |
| 120-150k | 9,127 | 33.8% |
| 150k+ | 13,147 | 34.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 31,944 | 33.7% |
| Petrol | 1,030 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,583 | 33.6% |
| 2022 | 8,324 | 34.2% |
| 2023 | 6,276 | 33.2% |
| 2024 | 4,549 | 32.8% |
| 2025 | 3,265 | 32.7% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Transit Connect
Before buying a 2004 Ford Transit Connect, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 22.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (22.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (19.9% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.9% 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 2004 Ford Transit Connects pass their MOT?
66.5% of the 32,997 2004 Ford Transit Connect MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Ford Transit Connect?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.5% of tests, followed by suspension (19.9%).
Does the 2004 Transit Connect get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 40.4% in the 0-30k band to 34.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 32,997 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.