2003 Ford Transit Connect — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 23,107 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Ford Transit Connect, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 67.0% was below the average for vans of a similar age (70.0%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.9% | 5,514 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.2% | 4,434 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.4% | 3,550 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.6% | 3,380 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.8% | 1,799 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.9% | 1,602 |
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 | 3,972 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 2,202 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,991 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 1,926 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 1,840 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 1,825 |
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 | 44.7% | 10,328 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.9% | 8,292 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 32.4% | 7,481 |
| 4 | Tyres | 32.2% | 7,443 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 29.0% | 6,704 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.7% | 5,481 |
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 | 127 | 30.7% |
| 30-60k | 364 | 22.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,840 | 29.1% |
| 90-120k | 4,736 | 32.4% |
| 120-150k | 6,354 | 32.8% |
| 150k+ | 9,484 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 22,811 | 33.0% |
| Petrol | 296 | 31.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,411 | 33.2% |
| 2022 | 5,832 | 32.9% |
| 2023 | 4,407 | 33.1% |
| 2024 | 3,147 | 32.8% |
| 2025 | 2,310 | 32.7% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Transit Connect
Before buying a 2003 Ford Transit Connect, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 23.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (23.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (19.2% 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 (15.4% 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 2003 Ford Transit Connects pass their MOT?
67.0% of the 23,107 2003 Ford Transit Connect MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Ford Transit Connect?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.9% of tests, followed by suspension (19.2%).
Does the 2003 Transit Connect get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.7% in the 0-30k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 23,107 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.