Ford Courier Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Courier car check
Is the Ford Courier reliable? We analysed 32,371 real MOT tests across 5,502 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Courier? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Courier is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and brake pipe excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Courier.
Ford Courier Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Courier. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Courier MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Courier to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Courier Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Courier fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Courier Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Courier owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Courier MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Courier year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 64 | 81.3% | 38,415 | 51,500 | 66,760 |
| 2017 | 62 | 72.6% | 44,589 | 75,799 | 94,960 |
| 2016 | 57 | 73.7% | 63,890 | 79,812 | 95,405 |
| 2015 | 77 | 75.3% | 60,422 | 93,294 | 124,686 |
| 2014 | 135 | 79.3% | 52,185 | 75,633 | 110,046 |
| 2008 | 76 | 71.1% | 72,632 | 112,148 | 142,505 |
| 2005 | 83 | 67.5% | 76,320 | 95,810 | 124,050 |
| 2004 | 81 | 65.4% | 72,195 | 107,604 | 166,911 |
| 2003 | 98 | 68.4% | 52,006 | 70,582 | 90,523 |
| 2002 | 4,887 | 63.7% | 65,661 | 90,391 | 117,685 |
| 2001 | 8,315 | 62.7% | 70,349 | 94,569 | 119,858 |
| 2000 | 7,377 | 62.2% | 69,287 | 91,635 | 114,888 |
| 1999 | 696 | 62.9% | 59,094 | 79,321 | 100,461 |
| 1998 | 550 | 62.2% | 22,281 | 52,796 | 79,857 |
| 1997 | 306 | 55.9% | 27,720 | 66,280 | 88,187 |
| 1996 | 1,815 | 57.7% | 25,382 | 54,634 | 77,862 |
| 1995 | 5,080 | 57.2% | 24,611 | 51,746 | 77,646 |
| 1994 | 2,291 | 57.0% | 22,924 | 49,076 | 76,720 |
| 1993 | 67 | 56.7% | 35,088 | 65,328 | 91,411 |
How Long Does a Ford Courier Last?
Based on 5,502 Ford Courier vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Courier Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Courier MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Ford Courier
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.3% MOT pass rate from 64 tests
55.9% MOT pass rate from 306 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Courier is 2018, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.3% across 64 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 55.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Courier Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Courier THIS CAR | 61.3% | 32,371 | 80,261 mi | 32 yrs |
| Ford Fiesta | 72.8% | 33,753,820 | 57,529 mi | 34 yrs |
| Ford Focus | 73.8% | 28,316,889 | 72,500 mi | 27 yrs |
| Ford Transit | 68.7% | 16,371,688 | 100,614 mi | 37 yrs |
| Kawasaki VN1500 | 87.2% | 10,943 | 18,158 mi | 38 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Courier trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Courier you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ford CourierShould you buy a used Ford Courier?
The Ford Courier has an overall MOT pass rate of 61.3% across 32,371 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Ford Courier are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (4,148 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (4,072), and brake pipe excessively corroded (3,376). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Ford Courier owner drives around 5,954 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Ford Courier models stay on UK roads for around 32 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.