2018 Ford Transit 2.0L Diesel · EA68 AAE

At 212,594 miles across eight years of service, this Transit's MOT history is dominated less by outright failures than by a thicket of recurring advisories concentrated around the front suspension, braking and tyre condition, a pattern wholly consistent with sustained heavy commercial use. The most recent visit on 17 October 2025 produced a pass alongside those notes, and crucially a contemporaneous failed outcome on the same day, with the advisory list carrying the same front lower arm rear bushes, near-side upper brake pipe corrosion, near-side rear tyre perishing, and offside front shock absorber oil misting that were already known. The lower arm rear bushes have been flagged on both sides at the latest test, the shock absorber misting has been recorded at every test since October 2023, the near-side front tyre was once again noted as close to the legal limit in October 2025, and split CV joint boots were severely deteriorated at the 2024 test. This is a front axle that has been absorbing work for a long time, with no advisory clearly resolved and several that look to be progressing rather than retreating. Annual mileage averages roughly 26,500 miles per year, which is well above the typical private-car figure and squarely in commercial-van territory, so wear on clutches, dual-mass flywheels if fitted, turbos, injectors, brake discs and pads, and suspension bushes should be regarded as running costs rather than surprises. There are no extended gaps in the MOT record that would imply long periods off the road, and the mileage appears to climb steadily year on year, indicating the vehicle has been in continuous service rather than laid up. The two dangerous tyre defects recorded at the October 2023 failure (a tread depth below 1.6mm on the near-side front and exposed ply or cords on the offside front) suggest that tyre management has not always been entirely proactive, and at this mileage you should assume the front tyres fitted at handover may be mid-life rather than new, even if they currently look acceptable. For a test drive, the priority is to listen and feel for the specific components already flagged. With both front lower arm rear bushes worn and a persistent shock absorber oil mist, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps, uneven road and pothole strikes, and pay particular attention to any vagueness, tramlining or wandering at speed, which can indicate the bushes are beginning to allow excess play under load. On the brakes, the near-side front upper brake pipe has been recorded as corroded though covered in grease, so check for a soft or spongy pedal, any warning lights on the dashboard after a firm stop from speed, and look underneath for fresh rust bloom or weeping along the brake line unions; corroded brake pipes on commercial vans are a common reason for later test refusal once corrosion becomes visible. The shock absorber misting recorded since 2023 should prompt a check for uneven nose dive under braking and any residual damping weakness after the van has been standing. Finally, walk fully around the vehicle before driving to inspect all four tyre sidewalls for cracking and perishing, as the pattern of near-side rear sidewall damage and front-edge wear suggests the tyres may have been run close to their limits, and budget for a full set if any are approaching 3mm of tread.