Ford Van Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Van car check
Is the Ford Van reliable? We analysed 1,266 real MOT tests across 124 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Van? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Van is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Van.
Ford Van Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Van. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Van MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Van to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Van Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Van fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Van Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Van owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Van MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Van year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 52 | 75.0% | 73,442 | 101,326 | 129,296 |
| 2011 | 74 | 77.0% | 64,270 | 83,906 | 132,054 |
| 2009 | 66 | 65.2% | 86,052 | 112,809 | 136,513 |
| 2007 | 85 | 67.1% | 62,640 | 79,455 | 105,465 |
| 2006 | 286 | 69.6% | 70,123 | 92,720 | 118,909 |
| 2002 | 100 | 65.0% | 65,396 | 101,256 | 131,568 |
| 2000 | 64 | 59.4% | 74,458 | 101,786 | 114,852 |
| 1994 | 51 | 60.8% | 127,042 | 133,514 | 150,038 |
How Long Does a Ford Van Last?
Based on 124 Ford Van vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Van Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Van 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 Van
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.0% MOT pass rate from 74 tests
59.4% MOT pass rate from 64 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Van is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.0% across 74 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Van Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Van THIS CAR | 70.9% | 1,266 | 84,257 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 Zx 600-G1 | 78.8% | 1,309 | 24,172 mi | 28 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Van trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Van 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 VanShould you buy a used Ford Van?
The Ford Van has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.9% across 1,266 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Ford Van are brake pipe excessively corroded (34 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (28), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (25). 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 Van owner drives around 4,972 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 Van 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.