1998 Ford Transit MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 61.8% of Ford Transits first used in 1998 passed their MOT first time, against 65.6% for all cars first used in 1998. Across 2,660 Transit first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and body, chassis and structure.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Transits first used in 1998 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 1998 Ford Transit MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Transits first used in 1998 against all cars first used in 1998 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Transit figure was 3.8 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 1998 Transit | All cars first used 1998 | Transit first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59.1% | 60.7% | 1,126 |
| 2022 | 63.5% | 62.4% | 1,021 |
| 2023 | 66.1% | 64.0% | 924 |
| 2024 | 62.3% | 64.9% | 901 |
| 2025 | 61.8% | 65.6% | 835 |
Common 1998 Ford Transit MOT failures
Share of the 972 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 23.5% | 228 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 11.3% | 110 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 9.7% | 94 |
| Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced | 8.3% | 81 |
| Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced | 8.2% | 80 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 1998 Ford Transit before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
Common 1998 Ford Transit MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 1998 Transits, as a share of all 2,660 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 21.2% | 563 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 14.3% | 380 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 10.3% | 275 |
| Wheel bearings: has slight play | 9.3% | 247 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive | 8.2% | 217 |
Questions about the 1998 Ford Transit MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 1998 Ford Transit?
In 2025, 61.8% of Transits first used in 1998 passed their MOT first time, against 65.6% for all cars first used in 1998. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 1998 Transit most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 44.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (37.1%) and body, chassis and structure (35.9%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (23.5%).
How often does a 1998 Ford Transit fail its MOT?
In 2025, 38.2% of first tests on Transits first used in 1998 did not pass first time: 31.3% failed, and a further 6.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 972 of 2,660 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 1998 Ford Transit MOT advisories?
“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 21.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (14.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (10.3%), “Wheel bearings: has slight play” (9.3%) and “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive” (8.2%).
Is a 1998 Ford Transit reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 59.1% in 2021 to 61.8% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 1998
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
1998 Volkswagen Transporter MOT statistics · 1998 Land Rover Defender MOT statistics · 1998 Mazda MX-5 MOT statistics · 1998 BMW Z3 MOT statistics · 1998 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics
Checking a specific 1998 Transit?
The numbers above cover every Transit first used in 1998 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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