Ford Transit (2017)
2017 Ford Transit
CarHunch analysed 78,264 real MOT records for the 2017 Ford Transit. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2017 Ford Transit has an 82% first-time pass rate, marginally above the UK average of 80%, which suggests reasonable reliability overall—but the concerning figure here is that nearly one-third of these vans (32.2%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, a significantly higher rate than typical for this age. This is a workhorse vehicle, and that elevated dangerous defect rate reflects the hard use many Transits see on the road.
With a median mileage of 73,281 miles at test time, these vans are running well within normal wear for a seven-year-old commercial or heavy-use vehicle, yet they still average 1.47 failures per test and 9.3 advisories, suggesting components like brakes, suspension, and exhaust systems need close attention. If you're considering a used Transit, budget for preventative brake and suspension inspections before purchase, and factor in that commercial history or high-mileage use is the norm for this model.
What to check before buying a 2017 Ford Transit
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.
- ⚠️ 32.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (100%) | 78,232 | 82% | 1.47 |
| Petrol (0%) | 18 | 54.8% | 0.39 |
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (0%) | 12 | 86.8% | 0.33 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 2 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2017 Ford Transit 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.
Half of all 2017 Ford Transit vehicles fall between 52,440 and 98,301 miles.
2017 Ford Transit — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 67,639 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 91% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2017 Ford Transit
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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37.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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36.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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35.8%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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28.5%
Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
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24.2%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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23.8%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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18.2%
Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
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17.2%
Oil leak, but not excessive
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Transit?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.