2015 Ford Transit Courier: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Ford Transit Courier?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Ford Transit Courier than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Number plate lights4× usual
  Ford Transit Courier

  14% All 2015 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.1% of all 2015 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 lights4.9× usual
  Ford Transit Courier

  9.8% All 2015 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 1.6% of all 2015 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.

• Windscreen3.7× usual
  Ford Transit Courier

  8.4% All 2015 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2015 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.

• Ball joint2.7× usual
  Ford Transit Courier

  8.1% All 2015 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.7% of all 2015 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.

• Coil springs2× usual
  Ford Transit Courier

  8.7% All 2015 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.6% of all 2015 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.

Common 2015 Ford Transit Courier MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Ford Transit Courier MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  36% 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
  34% 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
  23% 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
  21% 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
  17% 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
  7% 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.

Known faults on the 2015 Ford Transit Courier

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 Ford Transit Courier

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. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2015 Ford Transit Courier as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× as often on the 2015 Ford Transit Courier as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the windscreen? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2015 Ford Transit Courier as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?