2017 Ford Transit Custom — MOT failures & pass rate
1,418 MOT tests on the 2017 Ford Transit Custom are in this dataset, and 83.0% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 18.2% of the time, so this is 1.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.4% of tests against 6.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are joints, brake pads and headlamp — joints alone was recorded 73 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 26.7% versus 5.1%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 25.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 133 |
| 2 | Visibility | 6.1% | 87 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.6% | 65 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.5% | 64 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.5% | 64 |
| 6 | Suspension | 3.0% | 43 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 73 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 52 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 48 |
| 4 | Washers | 47 |
| 5 | Wipers | 45 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 37 |
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 | 25.6% | 363 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.6% | 292 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.7% | 209 |
| 4 | Visibility | 10.5% | 149 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.4% | 91 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 90 |
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 | 99 | 5.1% |
| 30-60k | 412 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 441 | 18.8% |
| 90-120k | 283 | 21.6% |
| 120-150k | 123 | 22.8% |
| 150k+ | 60 | 26.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 213 | 12.2% |
| 2022 | 265 | 14.3% |
| 2023 | 265 | 14.0% |
| 2024 | 333 | 21.0% |
| 2025 | 342 | 20.5% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Transit Custom
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (6.1% 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.
- Brakes (4.6% 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.
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 2017 Ford Transit Customs pass their MOT?
83.0% of the 1,418 2017 Ford Transit Custom MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Ford Transit Custom?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.4% of tests, followed by visibility (6.1%).
Does the 2017 Transit Custom get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.1% in the 0-30k band to 26.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,418 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.