1997 FORD TRANSIT2.5L Diesel

This 1997 Ford Transit passed its most recent MOT on 30 June 2025 at 66,302 miles, but the record reveals a worsening structural trend that demands caution. The vehicle has passed every test back to 2021, yet corrosion advisories have escalated from isolated wheel arch surface rust to holed inner wheel arches and widespread sill corrosion by 2025. The tester also flagged binding rear service brakes and perished rear tyres at the latest test, suggesting deferred maintenance on braking components and aged rubber. While the vehicle remains legally roadworthy, the trajectory of defects points to a maintenance pattern that has allowed structural deterioration to accelerate rather than be arrested. The recorded mileage of 66,302 over roughly 29 years equates to approximately 2,286 miles per year, which is exceptionally low for a commercial vehicle of this age. The annual increments between tests are consistent, rising from 62,274 miles in April 2021 to 66,302 miles in June 2025, averaging around 1,000 miles per year. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps in the odometer record, which supports the likelihood of genuine low mileage. However, prolonged periods of standing can accelerate seal perishing, tyre flat-spotting, and localised corrosion, all of which are reflected in the advisory history. A prospective buyer must inspect the inner and outer sills, all four wheel arches, and the floor pan for advanced corrosion, particularly around the offside rear sill and nearside front inner arch where defects have recurred since 2021. The 2025 advisory noting a holed offside front inner wheel arch raises a direct concern for structural integrity that a surface inspection alone will not confirm. Probe with a screwdriver at the lower sill edges and along seam welds, and check for filler or fresh underseal concealing previous repairs. The binding nearside rear service brake and perished rear tyres flagged in 2025 suggest the braking system and rubber components have not been attended to promptly. A road test should verify that the rear brakes release fully without drag or uneven pull, and the caliper slides and handbrake cables need physical inspection. Replace any tyres showing sidewall cracking regardless of remaining tread depth. The slight front wheel bearing play noted in both 2021 and 2022 was not repeated in later tests, but a lift check for play at both front hubs remains prudent given the vehicle's age.