2004 Ford Transit — MOT failures & pass rate
18,052 MOT tests on the 2004 Ford Transit are in this dataset, and 69.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (29.9% 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
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.1%) and suspension (17.6%) 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, integral vehicle structure condition and chassis condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 6,596 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2004 Transit fails 29.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 31.7% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.1 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 30.3% of the time against 30.5% for petrol.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 3,269 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.6% | 3,180 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.8% | 2,671 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.9% | 2,153 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.7% | 1,391 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.0% | 728 |
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 | 6,596 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 2,805 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 2,795 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 1,167 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 1,159 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,117 |
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 | 36.6% | 6,600 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.7% | 6,256 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.3% | 4,930 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.4% | 3,683 |
| 5 | Tyres | 19.8% | 3,568 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 2,412 |
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 | 880 | 29.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,725 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,793 | 29.0% |
| 90-120k | 3,683 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 3,323 | 31.6% |
| 150k+ | 4,599 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 17,493 | 30.3% |
| Petrol | 535 | 30.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,531 | 30.9% |
| 2022 | 4,353 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 3,395 | 29.9% |
| 2024 | 2,624 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 2,149 | 29.8% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Transit
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.6% 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 (14.8% 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 2004 Ford Transits pass their MOT?
69.7% of the 18,052 2004 Ford Transit MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Ford Transit?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by suspension (17.6%).
Does the 2004 Transit get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.7% in the 0-30k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,052 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.