2016 Ford Transit 2.0L Diesel · AJ66 ABU

The most recent DVSA examination on 22 June 2026 resulted in a Pass, although the report carried a notable cluster of advisories concerning the braking system together with a minor windscreen defect. Looking at the trend across the last three tests, the maintenance picture is not deteriorating into outright failures, but the same advisory items are being repeated or added to each year, which indicates ongoing wear rather than rectification. The 2025 test saw a Major failure for an insecure front prop shaft bearing housing, a serious mechanical defect that was apparently remedied before the June 2025 retest, but the continuation of brake-related advisories on both the 2025 and 2026 tests suggests the braking components have been left to decline progressively. Overall, the trajectory is one of stable passage status but with accumulating wear items that should not be ignored by a prospective buyer. With 166,576 miles recorded on a ten year old van, this Transit has covered an average of roughly 16,600 miles per year, which is substantially higher than typical private car usage and consistent with commercial or fleet operation. High annual mileage of this nature places considerable cumulative load on the friction materials, suspension components, drivetrain and cooling system, and the brake-related advisories already recorded are a direct reflection of that workload. There are no apparent extended gaps in the MOT record to suggest long periods of standing, which means corrosion from inactivity is less of a concern than wear from use; nevertheless, the calendar age of the vehicle still introduces age-related degradation to items such as rubber boots, bushes, hoses and electrical insulation. For a prospective buyer, the recurring front and rear brake disc wear advisories, combined with the 2026 advisory noting the inner front brake pads as wearing thin, make the braking system the primary area for physical inspection. On a test drive, listen for any grinding, squealing or pulsation through the brake pedal that would suggest the pitted discs have reached their wear limit, and check for pulling to one side that could indicate a binding caliper, particularly given the high mileage. The nearside rear tyre has been flagged in both 2024 and 2026 for sidewall damage and perishing, so all four tyres should be examined closely for cracks, bulges or scuff damage, and replacement should be budgeted if they are approaching the legal tread limit or show age-related deterioration. The prop shaft bearing housing failure from 2025 also warrants a careful listen for any clunking, vibration or driveline roughness, especially on take-off and at low speed, to confirm the repair has held satisfactorily. Beyond the advisories on record, the high mileage and ten year age of this Transit warrant attention to the less obvious service items. Inspect the condition of the suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links and coil springs for cracking, sagging or knocking, as commercial use and Kerb weight accelerate wear in these areas. Check the coolant, brake fluid and automatic or manual transmission fluid for evidence of recent renewal, as brake fluid is hygroscopic and degrades on a time basis regardless of mileage. Examine the underside and structural areas for any corrosion, paying particular attention to the inner sills, crossmembers and floor panels common to Transits of this generation. Finally, verify that the service book is fully stamped and cross-reference the cam belt or timing chain replacement interval, as a ten year old high mileage diesel should have had this critical maintenance carried out, and confirm the 12 volt battery is in good health as electrical faults often appear first in vehicles of this age.