2009 Ford Transit — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Ford Transit passed 68.8% of its 81,620 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), the 2009 Transit comes out 3.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (20.9%) and suspension (20.2%) 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, position lamp and rigid brake pipes — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 10,663 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 18.7% in the 0-30k band and 31.7% in the 150k+ band, a 13.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 47.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 17,079 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.2% | 16,505 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.3% | 10,878 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 8,004 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.4% | 6,080 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.1% | 5,784 |
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 | 10,663 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 7,615 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 7,420 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 6,269 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 6,198 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 5,666 |
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 | 47.6% | 38,852 |
| 2 | Suspension | 39.2% | 31,964 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 21.7% | 17,726 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.5% | 17,548 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 20.2% | 16,453 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.8% | 16,173 |
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 | 1,717 | 18.7% |
| 30-60k | 4,279 | 21.0% |
| 60-90k | 8,417 | 30.2% |
| 90-120k | 14,841 | 32.5% |
| 120-150k | 18,734 | 32.9% |
| 150k+ | 33,186 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 81,394 | 31.2% |
| Petrol | 226 | 31.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 19,845 | 31.4% |
| 2022 | 18,941 | 31.6% |
| 2023 | 16,557 | 31.1% |
| 2024 | 14,378 | 31.0% |
| 2025 | 11,899 | 30.4% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Transit
On a 2009 Transit, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (20.2% 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.
- Brakes (13.3% 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 2009 Ford Transits pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 81,620 2009 Ford Transit MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Ford Transit?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.9% of tests, followed by suspension (20.2%).
Does the 2009 Transit get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.7% in the 0-30k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 81,620 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.