2020 Ford Tourneo Custom: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Ford Tourneo Custom?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Ford Tourneo Custom than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Number plate lights6× usual
  Ford Tourneo Custom

  4.2% All 2020 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints8.8× usual
  Ford Tourneo Custom

  3.5% All 2020 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.1% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Anti-roll bar link bushesnull× usual
  Ford Tourneo Custom

  3% All 2020 cars

  0%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

• Wipers1.9× usual
  Ford Tourneo Custom

  6.1% All 2020 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

• Seat belts5.7× usual
  Ford Tourneo Custom

  2.3% All 2020 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

Common 2020 Ford Tourneo Custom MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Ford Tourneo Custom MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  21% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  17% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  12% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Suspension
  6% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Driveshafts and joints
  4% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2020 Ford Tourneo Custom

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Timing belt that runs in oil (1.0 EcoBoost)

  1.0 petrol (EcoBoost and non-turbo)

  Ford’s 1.0 three-cylinder petrol uses a timing belt that runs in the engine oil on most cars. If oil changes are late or the wrong oil is used, the belt breaks down and sheds rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some later cars have a timing chain instead: a Ford dealer can tell you from the VIN. Ford’s change interval is 10 years or 150,000 miles, and the belt isn’t covered by warranty.

  At the viewing: Ask for a full service history with the right oil, and when the belt was changed. An oil-pressure warning light, a rattle or a rough idle are warning signs.

  Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt

• Oil pump belt that runs in oil (2.0 EcoBlue diesel)

  2.0 EcoBlue diesel (most Ford 2.0 diesels from about 2018)

  The 2.0 EcoBlue diesel drives its oil pump with a belt that runs in the engine oil. As it wears it can shed rubber and cut oil pressure, which can wreck the engine. Ford has shortened the change interval on the Transit to 6 years or 100,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Ask when the oil pump belt was last changed, and watch for an oil-pressure warning light.

  Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Ford Tourneo Custom

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the timing belt been changed, and is there a full service history with the right oil?
2. Has the oil pump belt been changed, and is there a full service history?
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the 2020 Ford Tourneo Custom as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 8.8× as often on the 2020 Ford Tourneo Custom as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT null× as often on the 2020 Ford Tourneo Custom as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?