2004 Ford Transit — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 18,052 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Ford Transit, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 69.7% was in line with the average for vans of a similar age (70.1%).
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
Before buying a 2004 Ford Transit, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.1% of tests for this year.
- 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 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.