2001 Ford Transit — MOT failures & pass rate
10,009 MOT tests on the 2001 Ford Transit are in this dataset, and 71.1% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail at 29.8%, so the 2001 Transit sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.0%) and suspension (16.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, chassis condition and integral vehicle structure condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 2,680 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.6% in the 0-30k band and 31.3% in the 150k+ band, a 9.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.8% in 2021 to 27.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 1,704 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.6% | 1,660 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.1% | 1,314 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.3% | 1,127 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.1% | 710 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.7% | 367 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 2,680 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 1,327 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 1,087 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 556 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 545 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 544 |
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 | 35.6% | 3,568 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.9% | 3,289 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.1% | 2,413 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.6% | 1,961 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.5% | 1,647 |
| 6 | Visibility | 12.6% | 1,260 |
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 | 148 | 21.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,033 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,642 | 27.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,857 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 2,055 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 3,245 | 31.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 9,914 | 28.9% |
| Petrol | 85 | 29.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,801 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 2,303 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 1,906 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 1,660 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 1,339 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Transit
On a 2001 Transit, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.6% 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 (13.1% 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 2001 Ford Transits pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 10,009 2001 Ford Transit MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Ford Transit?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by suspension (16.6%).
Does the 2001 Transit get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 0-30k band to 31.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,009 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.