2018 Ford Transit MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 71.1% of Ford Transits first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. Across 56,560 Transit first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen).
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Transits first used in 2018 (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 2018 Ford Transit MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Transits first used in 2018 against all cars first used in 2018 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Transit figure was 9.8 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2018 Transit | All cars first used 2018 | Transit first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 82.9% | 87.6% | 19,997 |
| 2022 | 79.5% | 86.3% | 19,498 |
| 2023 | 76.2% | 84.2% | 19,230 |
| 2024 | 73.5% | 82.5% | 18,832 |
| 2025 | 71.1% | 80.9% | 18,498 |
Common 2018 Ford Transit MOT failures
Share of the 14,916 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 11.5% | 1,713 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | 11.4% | 1,698 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 11.3% | 1,685 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 10.4% | 1,555 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 7.2% | 1,077 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2018 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.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
Common 2018 Ford Transit MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2018 Transits, as a share of all 56,560 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 12.4% | 7,029 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 11.5% | 6,502 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 11.3% | 6,369 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 10.6% | 6,021 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 10.1% | 5,719 |
Questions about the 2018 Ford Transit MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2018 Ford Transit?
In 2025, 71.1% of Transits first used in 2018 passed their MOT first time, against 80.9% for all cars first used in 2018. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2018 Transit most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 41.9% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (27.5%) and visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (25.3%). The single most common item was “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively” (11.5%).
How often does a 2018 Ford Transit fail its MOT?
In 2025, 28.9% of first tests on Transits first used in 2018 did not pass first time: 22.1% failed, and a further 6.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 14,916 of 56,560 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2018 Ford Transit MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 12.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (11.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (11.3%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (10.6%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (10.1%).
Is a 2018 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 82.9% in 2021 to 71.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2018
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2018 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2018 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2018 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2018 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2018 Transit?
The numbers above cover every Transit first used in 2018 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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