2010 Ford Transit — MOT failures & pass rate
114,420 MOT tests on the 2010 Ford Transit are in this dataset, and 69.0% of them passed. That is 3.6 percentage points worse than vans of a similar age, which fail at 27.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (21.3%) and suspension (19.8%) 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 11,842 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 31.6% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 46.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.3% | 24,394 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.8% | 22,660 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.5% | 14,295 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 10,388 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 8,010 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.9% | 7,860 |
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 | 11,842 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 10,801 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 10,675 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 9,017 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 8,496 |
| 6 | Leaf spring | 7,267 |
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 | 46.7% | 53,404 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.5% | 43,995 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 21.9% | 25,043 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.5% | 24,598 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 21.2% | 24,308 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.9% | 19,294 |
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 | 1,488 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 4,130 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 11,380 | 28.9% |
| 90-120k | 22,759 | 31.7% |
| 120-150k | 27,085 | 32.4% |
| 150k+ | 47,187 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 114,130 | 31.0% |
| Petrol | 281 | 26.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 26,744 | 30.3% |
| 2022 | 25,773 | 30.9% |
| 2023 | 23,768 | 31.9% |
| 2024 | 20,730 | 31.2% |
| 2025 | 17,405 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Transit
On a 2010 Transit, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (19.8% 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 (12.5% 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 2010 Ford Transits pass their MOT?
69.0% of the 114,420 2010 Ford Transit MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Ford Transit?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.3% of tests, followed by suspension (19.8%).
Does the 2010 Transit get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 114,420 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.