2014 Ford Transit Courier — MOT failures & pass rate
6,897 MOT tests on the 2014 Ford Transit Courier are in this dataset, and 78.1% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail at 22.9%, so the 2014 Transit Courier sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.5% of all tests — 8.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are stop lamp, headlamp aim and washers — stop lamp alone was recorded 556 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 25.7% versus 14.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 1,206 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.0% | 620 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.9% | 478 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.6% | 453 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.3% | 293 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 239 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp | 556 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 379 |
| 3 | Washers | 350 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 349 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 349 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 334 |
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 | 30.2% | 2,080 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.6% | 1,144 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 857 |
| 4 | Visibility | 12.0% | 829 |
| 5 | Suspension | 11.4% | 785 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.9% | 616 |
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 | 171 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 823 | 16.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,567 | 20.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,684 | 22.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,291 | 23.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,317 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 6,728 | 22.0% |
| Petrol | 169 | 17.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,407 | 19.7% |
| 2022 | 1,425 | 20.6% |
| 2023 | 1,371 | 21.4% |
| 2024 | 1,387 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 1,307 | 24.3% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Transit Courier
On a 2014 Transit Courier, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.0% 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.
- Visibility (6.9% 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 2014 Ford Transit Couriers pass their MOT?
78.1% of the 6,897 2014 Ford Transit Courier MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Ford Transit Courier?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by suspension (9.0%).
Does the 2014 Transit Courier get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 25.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,897 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.