Ford Transit 350 Lwb Td (2002)

1,011 real MOT outcomes analysed • 8.5% first-time pass rate

2002 Ford Transit 350 Lwb Td

CarHunch analysed 1,011 real MOT records for the 2002 Ford Transit 350 Lwb Td. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 2002 Ford Transit 350 is a profoundly unreliable proposition: just 8.5% pass first time against the UK average of 80%, making it one of the worst-performing cohorts on record. The diesel variant (8.3% pass rate) offers no advantage, and whilst dangerous defects are mercifully absent, the sheer frequency of failures means you're buying a vehicle that will need serious work before and after every MOT.

These vans have covered 157,000 miles on the median, which is high for age but typical for commercial Transit use, and the 0.24 average failures per test suggests chronic wear across multiple systems rather than one killer issue. If you're considering this model, budget heavily for immediate repairs and ongoing maintenance—this is a vehicle for someone with mechanical knowledge, time, or a trusted garage relationship.

Below average reliability 71.5% below UK average
8.5%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
157,112
typical mileage
123,532–184,582 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.24
avg MOT failures per car
over 1.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2002 Ford Transit 350 Lwb Td

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Ford Transit 350 Lwb Td

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (100%) 1,007 8.3% 0.24
Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) 3 52.2% 1.67
Diesel (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2002 Ford Transit 350 Lwb Td vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

123,532
low mileage
157,112
typical
184,582
high mileage

Half of all 2002 Ford Transit 350 Lwb Td vehicles fall between 123,532 and 184,582 miles.

2002 Ford Transit 350 Lwb Td — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 25 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (24% of peak).

25 25 2017 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.

MOT History Averages

1.4
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.24
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Ford Transit 350 Lwb Td?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Ford Transit 350 Lwb Td:

2000 2001 2003 2004