The picture
Ducato: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 111,566 MOT tests, the Ducato returns 74.8% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen damage. The strength or continuity of the load bearing and a number-plate lamp out round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 69,582, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
4,182 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 02
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
4,036 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 03
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
4,007 occurrences · 3.6% of tests
- 04
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
3,248 occurrences · 2.9% of tests
- 05
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
2,645 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 06
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
2,274 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 07
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
2,131 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 08
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
2,051 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 09
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
1,815 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 10
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
1,693 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Try the calculator
Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Owner reports · Honest John
What owners actually report.
Verbatim faults logged by owners on honestjohn.co.uk over recent years. We didn't summarise — these are the words people typed in.
What's good
Tight turning circle, comfortable cabin with room for three, strong 2.3-litre diesel engine.
Where it falls short
Noisy engines, disappointingly no ESP as standard until April 2013, gearbox failure quite common.
Buying or keeping a Ducato?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Ducato and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.