2008 Ford Transit Connect — MOT failures & pass rate
56,359 MOT tests on the 2008 Ford Transit Connect are in this dataset, and 68.1% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (28.7% fail rate), the 2008 Transit Connect comes out 3.2pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (19.1%) and suspension (16.4%) 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, joints and rigid brake pipes — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 6,511 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 43.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.1% | 10,770 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.4% | 9,229 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.0% | 8,988 |
| 4 | Brakes | 12.8% | 7,189 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.3% | 4,144 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.8% | 3,805 |
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 | 6,511 |
| 2 | Joints | 4,800 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 4,531 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 4,339 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 3,709 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 3,553 |
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 | 43.2% | 24,365 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.1% | 17,532 |
| 3 | Suspension | 28.2% | 15,923 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 24.3% | 13,667 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 22.2% | 12,514 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.7% | 12,249 |
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 | 319 | 25.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,572 | 24.8% |
| 60-90k | 6,083 | 29.5% |
| 90-120k | 12,435 | 31.6% |
| 120-150k | 15,106 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 20,570 | 32.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 56,188 | 31.9% |
| Petrol | 162 | 28.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,274 | 31.3% |
| 2022 | 13,218 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 11,546 | 32.1% |
| 2024 | 9,581 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 7,740 | 32.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Transit Connect
On a 2008 Transit Connect, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.4% 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 (16.0% 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 Transit Connects pass their MOT?
68.1% of the 56,359 2008 Ford Transit Connect MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Ford Transit Connect?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.1% of tests, followed by suspension (16.4%).
Does the 2008 Transit Connect get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.4% in the 0-30k band to 32.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 56,359 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.