2013 Ford Transit Connect — MOT failures & pass rate
28,618 MOT tests on the 2013 Ford Transit Connect are in this dataset, and 75.9% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail at 24.3%, so the 2013 Transit Connect sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.7%) and brakes (12.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), stop lamp and rigid brake pipes — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 1,948 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 26.8% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 20.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 3,905 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.2% | 3,495 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.9% | 2,252 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.1% | 1,733 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 1,626 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.8% | 1,366 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 1,948 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 1,651 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,181 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,144 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,026 |
| 6 | Wipers | 996 |
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 | 32.5% | 9,291 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.6% | 7,907 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 17.5% | 5,011 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 4,516 |
| 5 | Suspension | 14.2% | 4,058 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.8% | 3,366 |
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 | 355 | 13.5% |
| 30-60k | 2,775 | 16.6% |
| 60-90k | 6,993 | 22.3% |
| 90-120k | 8,239 | 24.9% |
| 120-150k | 6,081 | 27.1% |
| 150k+ | 4,165 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,030 | 20.9% |
| 2022 | 5,984 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 5,807 | 24.2% |
| 2024 | 5,619 | 26.1% |
| 2025 | 5,178 | 26.7% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Transit Connect
On a 2013 Transit Connect, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.2% 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.
- Suspension (7.9% 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.
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 2013 Ford Transit Connects pass their MOT?
75.9% of the 28,618 2013 Ford Transit Connect MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Ford Transit Connect?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by brakes (12.2%).
Does the 2013 Transit Connect get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.5% in the 0-30k band to 26.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,618 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.