79.3%
pass rate across 152,202 tests
74.4% first-time pass rate
96,416 mi median at test
Ford Transit 2016 vs 2018
The same model, 2 years apart, compared on 219,168 real MOT tests. The raw pass rate mostly measures age; the like-for-like row and the mileage bands show what survives that adjustment.
83.2%
pass rate across 66,966 tests
80.1% first-time pass rate
77,596 mi median at test
The short answer
The 2018 Transit passes more — but most of it is age
Across 219,168 tests, the 2018 Transit passes 83.2% of MOTs and the 2016 79.3%. The 2018 vans are 2 years newer and were tested at a median 77,596 miles against 96,416, so part of that gap is simply age and use. Against what their age and mileage predict, the 2018 is −4.7 points and the 2016 −4.7 — a like-for-like gap of 0.0 points. Most of the raw advantage disappears once the two are matched. Typical repair bills are £54–£156 on the 2016 and £47–£131 on the 2018. The two bills are close. Repairs under £30 account for 22% of the 2016's recorded faults and 35% of the 2018's. Both years fail most often on windscreen.
- Pass rate: 79.3% vs 83.2%
- Tests: 152,202 vs 66,966
- Like-for-like: −4.7 vs −4.7 pts
- Median mileage: 96,416 vs 77,596 mi
- Typical repair: £54–£156 vs £47–£131
- Cheap fixes: 22% vs 35%
| Measure | 2016 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests on record | 152,202 | 66,966 |
| Pass rate, all MOTs | 79.3% | 83.2% stronger figure |
| First-time pass rate | 74.4% | 80.1% stronger figure |
| Against the UK average | −4.7 pts | −4.7 pts |
| Like-for-like, age and mileage adjusted | −4.7 pts | −4.7 pts |
| Average mileage at test | 101,781 mi | 82,265 mi |
| Median mileage at test | 96,416 mi | 77,596 mi |
| Typical repair bill | £54–£156 | £47–£131 stronger figure |
| Repairs under £30 | 22% | 35% stronger figure |
| Most common failing part | Windscreen | Windscreen |
| Variants recorded | 5 | 3 |
| Main fuel | Diesel 100% | Diesel 100% |
A ✓ marks the stronger figure in each row. It compares the two model years, not either one against the national average.
What goes wrong most often
The most common priced failures on each year, as a share of that year's tests. Repair costs are estimates from UK parts data, not quotes.
2016 Transit
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 7.3% £80–£200
- Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt 6.4% £80–£250
- Joints constant velocity boot severely deteriorated 4.7% £80–£250
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources 4.4% £5–£20
- Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn 3.3% £40–£150
2018 Transit
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 6.6% £80–£200
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources 3.9% £5–£20
- Joints constant velocity boot severely deteriorated 2.5% £80–£250
- Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt 2.3% £80–£250
- Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively 1.8% £8–£22
Does the gap hold at higher mileage?
Pass rate by the mileage recorded at test. If the lead shrinks in the high-mileage bands, part of the headline difference was a younger, lower-mileage sample.
| Mileage | 2016 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30,000 mi | 90.8% · 2,719 tests | 90.7% · 3,854 tests |
| 30,000–60,000 mi | 84.1% · 20,080 tests | 86.0% · 16,726 tests |
| 60,000–90,000 mi | 79.9% · 43,402 tests | 82.6% · 21,396 tests |
| 90,000–120,000 mi | 77.9% · 41,144 tests | 81.6% · 14,571 tests |
| 120,000+ mi | 77.2% · 44,714 tests | 79.5% · 10,388 tests |
What to check before you buy
2016 Ford Transit
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view — 7.3% of tests · £80–£200
- Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt — 6.4% of tests · £80–£250
- Joints constant velocity boot severely deteriorated — 4.7% of tests · £80–£250
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
2018 Ford Transit
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view — 6.6% of tests · £80–£200
- Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources — 3.9% of tests · £5–£20
- Joints constant velocity boot severely deteriorated — 2.5% of tests · £80–£250
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
Compare another pair of years for the Ford Transit? Pick two years →
Compare a different pair of years? Pick two years of the Ford Transit →
Or put the Transit against another model: Compare the Ford Transit side by side →