At a Glance
The Ford Transit Connect has 80 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk1 (2002-2013) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 2.4M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Ford Transit Connect common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Ford Transit Connect generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Ford Transit Connect Generations
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Most Common Ford Transit Connect MOT Failures
Every reason Ford Transit Connect vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 16.04% |
| 2 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 8.27% |
| 3 | Exhaust system fault | 8.13% |
| 4 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 7.42% |
| 5 | Brake pads or linings worn | 7.15% |
| 6 | Windscreen washer not working | 6.96% |
| 7 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 5.26% |
| 8 | Tyre condition | 5.05% |
| 9 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 3.31% |
| 10 | Number plate lamp not working | 2.54% |
| 11 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 2.39% |
| 12 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.23% |
| 13 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.71% |
| 14 | Track rod end worn | 1.65% |
| 15 | Wheel bearing worn | 1.40% |
| 16 | Rear lamp not working | 1.34% |
| 17 | Stop lamp not working | 1.20% |
| 18 | Headlamp fault | 1.16% |
| 19 | Fog lamp not working | 1.10% |
| 20 | Indicator fault | 1.09% |
| 21 | Brake performance below minimum | 0.83% |
| 22 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.78% |
| 23 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.76% |
| 24 | Parking brake condition | 0.72% |
| 25 | Position lamp not working | 0.70% |
| 26 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.65% |
| 27 | Chassis condition | 0.60% |
| 28 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.56% |
| 29 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.56% |
| 30 | Seat belt condition | 0.52% |
| 31 | Driveshaft fault | 0.51% |
| 32 | Engine oil leak | 0.51% |
| 33 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.43% |
| 34 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.39% |
| 35 | Airbag warning light on | 0.35% |
| 36 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.31% |
| 37 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.27% |
| 38 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.26% |
| 39 | Horn not working | 0.19% |
| 40 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.18% |
| 41 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.18% |
| 42 | Electrical switch fault | 0.17% |
| 43 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.17% |
| 44 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.16% |
| 45 | Brake fluid leak | 0.16% |
| 46 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.15% |
| 47 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.14% |
| 48 | Front lamp not working | 0.13% |
| 49 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.13% |
| 50 | Rear suspension fault | 0.13% |
| 51 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.13% |
| 52 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.12% |
| 53 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.11% |
| 54 | Brake caliper fault | 0.11% |
| 55 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.11% |
| 56 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.10% |
| 57 | Exhaust leak | 0.09% |
| 58 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.09% |
| 59 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.08% |
| 60 | Steering free play excessive | 0.07% |
| 61 | Body security fault | 0.07% |
| 62 | Steering arm worn | 0.07% |
| 63 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.07% |
| 64 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.07% |
| 65 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.06% |
| 66 | Brake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 67 | ABS fault | 0.06% |
| 68 | Steering rack fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.06% |
| 70 | Power steering ram fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.06% |
| 72 | Drag link end worn | 0.05% |
| 73 | Brake pedal fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.05% |
| 75 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.05% |
| 76 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.05% |
| 77 | Front suspension fault | 0.05% |
| 78 | Front passenger door fault | 0.05% |
| 79 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 81 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 84 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 86 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 87 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 88 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Steering operation fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Steering lock fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 93 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 94 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Driver door fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 101 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 103 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.01% |
| 104 | Daytime running lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 105 | Spare wheel fault | 0.01% |
| 106 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 107 | Brake valve fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Window damaged or won't operate | 0.01% |
| 111 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | <0.01% |
| 115 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 117 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | <0.01% |
| 120 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 125 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 126 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 127 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 128 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 130 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 131 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 135 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 137 | Leaf spring slipper worn | <0.01% |
| 138 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 139 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 142 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 143 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 144 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 147 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 148 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 149 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 154 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 155 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 156 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 159 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 160 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 163 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 166 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 167 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 168 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 169 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 175 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 178 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 180 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 182 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 183 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 184 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 185 | Anchor bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 186 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 187 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 188 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 190 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 191 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 192 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 193 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 194 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 195 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 196 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 197 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 198 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
Showing all 198 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Ford Transit Connect MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Ford Transit Connect, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Ford Transit Connect problems?
Based on analysis of 2.4M Ford Transit Connect MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 80 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Number plate lamp not working". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Ford Transit Connect generation has the most problems?
The Ford Transit Connect Mk1 (2002-2013) (2002–2013) has the highest number of identified common problems (110). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Ford Transit Connect?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Ford Transit Connect owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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