2016 Ford Transit Courier diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Ford Transit Courier diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Ford Transit Courier diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Number plate lights4.9× usual
  Ford Transit Courier

  13.3% All 2016 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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.

• Brake lights6× usual
  Ford Transit Courier

  9.6% All 2016 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 1.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Windscreen3.6× usual
  Ford Transit Courier

  7.9% All 2016 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

• Coil springs2.4× usual
  Ford Transit Courier

  7.8% All 2016 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Ball joint2.7× usual
  Ford Transit Courier

  6.1% All 2016 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.2% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2016 Ford Transit Courier diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Ford Transit Courier diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  34% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Suspension
  20% 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.

• Brakes
  19% 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.

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

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  4% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Ford Transit Courier diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the 2016 Ford Transit Courier diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the 2016 Ford Transit Courier diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the windscreen? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2016 Ford Transit Courier diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?