2013 Ford Transit Custom — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 292 MOT tests, the 2013 Ford Transit Custom recorded a 74.3% pass rate. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (24.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests against 11.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, joints and headlamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 21 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2013 Transit Custom fails 20.0% of the time in the 60-90k band and 20.6% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.6 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 21.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 47 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.0% | 32 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 27 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.6% | 25 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.5% | 16 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 21 |
| 2 | Joints | 19 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 16 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 14 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 13 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 10 |
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 | 37.7% | 110 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.3% | 103 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.3% | 68 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 41 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.0% | 38 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.3% | 27 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 40 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 79 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 83 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 63 | 20.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 38 | 21.1% |
| 2022 | 60 | 23.3% |
| 2023 | 59 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 67 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 68 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Transit Custom
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.3% 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 2013 Ford Transit Customs pass their MOT?
74.3% of the 292 2013 Ford Transit Custom MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Ford Transit Custom?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by suspension (11.0%).
Does the 2013 Transit Custom get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 60-90k band to 20.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 292 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.