2002 Ford Transit — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 15,786 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Ford Transit, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 70.0% was in line with the average for vans of a similar age (70.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.0% in the 150k+ group versus 18.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 2,924 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.4% | 2,748 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.2% | 2,236 |
| 4 | Brakes | 12.1% | 1,916 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.7% | 1,220 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.6% | 563 |
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 | 4,471 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 2,256 |
| 3 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 2,015 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 958 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 898 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 889 |
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 | 37.7% | 5,950 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.9% | 5,662 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.7% | 4,050 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.7% | 3,109 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.2% | 2,564 |
| 6 | Visibility | 14.1% | 2,233 |
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 | 204 | 18.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,515 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,374 | 26.0% |
| 90-120k | 3,143 | 32.3% |
| 120-150k | 3,169 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 5,325 | 32.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 15,374 | 30.0% |
| Petrol | 412 | 30.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,680 | 31.8% |
| 2022 | 3,790 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 2,981 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 2,347 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 1,988 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Transit
Before buying a 2002 Ford Transit, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.4% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2002 Ford Transits pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 15,786 2002 Ford Transit MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Ford Transit?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.5% of tests, followed by suspension (17.4%).
Does the 2002 Transit get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.6% in the 0-30k band to 32.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,786 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.