1985 Ford Transit 120 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Transit 120 models manufactured in 1985, based on 74 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1985 Ford Transit 120 MOT Analysis
The 1985 Ford Transit 120 has an MOT pass rate of 48.6% based on 74 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 60,456 miles on the odometer. With a 51.4% failure rate, the 1985 Transit 120 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1985 Ford Transit 120 is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, responsible for 16.2% of failures. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs range from £5–50. Suspension is the second most common issue at 9.5%. Driver's View of the Road follows at 8.1%.
Top failures specific to 1985 models only. The overall Transit 120 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 16.2% | 12 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.5% | 7 |
| 3 | Driver's View Of The Road | 8.1% | 6 |
| 4 | Body, Structure And General Items | 5.4% | 4 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.1% | 3 |
| 6 | Non-component Advisories | 2.7% | 2 |
| 7 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 1.4% | 1 |
| 8 | Steering | 1.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 60,456 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
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| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 2.68 | 16.2% | 12 |
| Suspension | 1.56 | 9.5% | 7 |
| Visibility | 1.34 | 8.1% | 6 |
| Body & Structure | 0.89 | 5.4% | 4 |
| Brakes | 0.67 | 4.1% | 3 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.45 | 2.7% | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 0.22 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Steering | 0.22 | 1.4% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1985 Ford Transit 120 has an MOT pass rate of 48.6% based on 74 tests — significantly below the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 60,456 miles on the odometer. With a 51.4% failure rate, the 1985 Transit 120 is rated as "Very Poor" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1985 Ford Transit 120, be prepared for above-average maintenance costs. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test. At 60,456 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 16.2% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 16.2% of MOT failures on 1985 Ford Transit 120 models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Suspension — 9.5% of failures
Suspension issues account for 9.5% of MOT failures on 1985 Ford Transit 120 models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Driver's View of the Road — 8.1% of failures
Driver's View of the Road issues account for 8.1% of MOT failures on 1985 Ford Transit 120 models. Driver's View of the Road issues are a common cause of MOT failure. Regular inspection and maintenance of these components helps ensure your vehicle passes its MOT. Typical repair costs: £100–400. Pre-MOT check: Have this system checked during regular servicing. Look for warning signs like unusual noises, vibrations, or dashboard warning lights.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.