2021 Ford Transit Custom — MOT failures & pass rate
96,297 MOT tests on the 2021 Ford Transit Custom are in this dataset, and 86.3% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail at 13.9%, so the 2021 Transit Custom sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.5%) and visibility (7.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, headlamp aim and brake pads — wipers alone was recorded 6,100 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.1% in the 0-30k band and 18.6% in the 150k+ band, a 9.6-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 0.0% of tests failed in 2022 against 13.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 7,228 |
| 2 | Visibility | 7.2% | 6,927 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.6% | 4,407 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.0% | 3,895 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.3% | 1,232 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.0% | 982 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 6,100 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 4,849 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 3,426 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 2,298 |
| 5 | Washers | 1,746 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 1,486 |
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 | 17.2% | 16,543 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.9% | 15,284 |
| 3 | Visibility | 9.4% | 9,079 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.5% | 5,334 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 2,978 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.0% | 2,927 |
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 | 17,553 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 43,171 | 13.5% |
| 60-90k | 25,681 | 15.9% |
| 90-120k | 7,520 | 17.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,808 | 16.8% |
| 150k+ | 563 | 18.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 96,036 | 13.7% |
| Hybrid | 257 | 7.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 42 | 0.0% |
| 2023 | 1,062 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 47,950 | 14.3% |
| 2025 | 47,233 | 13.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Transit Custom
On a 2021 Transit Custom, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (7.2% 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.
- Tyres (4.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2021 Ford Transit Customs pass their MOT?
86.3% of the 96,297 2021 Ford Transit Custom MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Ford Transit Custom?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.5% of tests, followed by visibility (7.2%).
Does the 2021 Transit Custom get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 18.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 96,297 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.