2015 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · AB59 DEC

A recurring pattern of front suspension and drivetrain wear dominates the MOT history of this 2015 Ford Transit, with constant velocity (CV) joint gaiter failures on both sides of the front axle appearing at multiple tests in 2023, 2024, and 2026, alongside repeated advisories relating to front brake pipe corrosion at the rear fuel filter area. The most recent test on 10 August 2026 recorded a pass, but only three days earlier the vehicle had failed on both nearside and offside front outer drive shaft CV boots being split and no longer preventing ingress of dirt, indicating that this is an ongoing and active wear issue rather than a one-off repair. Further back, a July 2024 failure listed both front CV boots split together with an excessively worn nearside front suspension arm rear bush, and a 2023 failure captured both a nearside front outer CV boot defect and an offside front suspension arm rear bush defect. The cumulative picture is one of chronic front-end mechanical degradation, where the same vulnerable components are being flagged year after year, often within days of each other as repairs and re-tests are attempted. Mileage stands at 111,674 miles across approximately 11 years of recorded testing, which equates to an average annual accumulation of around 10,150 miles. This figure is broadly typical for a working van of this age, and there are no extended gaps in the MOT record suggesting prolonged periods off the road or standing unused. The continuous annual testing pattern, combined with this steady mileage, is consistent with regular commercial or fleet use rather than intermittent light use. Mechanically, this level of consistent mileage on a Transit of this age places meaningful cumulative stress on the front suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, drop links, brake discs, pads, and the rubber CV gaiters, all of which are sensitive to sustained urban mileage involving constant steering input and load cycling. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priorities are the front suspension and drivetrain, since both front outer CV boots have failed within the last three years and the nearside front suspension arm rear bush was flagged as excessively worn as recently as 2024. On a test drive, listen for clicking or knocking from the front hubs when turning at low speed, which indicates contaminated CV joints, and feel for any clonking over uneven surfaces or speed bumps that would suggest worn suspension bushes or top mounts. Also inspect the inside edges of the front tyres for uneven wear, as worn suspension components frequently produce feathered or scalloped patterns, and check for any fresh grease residue around the front driveshaft boots, which would indicate a recent gaiter replacement or, alternatively, a new split. The 2025 advisory noting an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit on its edge reinforces the need to scrutinise the front tyres closely, as this is symptomatic of the kind of suspension geometry problems flagged in prior failures. The brake and steering systems also warrant close physical inspection given the repeated advisories. The front brake pipe has been flagged as corroded and covered in grease or other material at the rear fuel filter area in 2025 and again in 2026, which means the surface condition of the brake lines should be visually examined for live rust, pitting, or flaking, particularly along the pipe run beneath the fuel filter. The 2023 advisory of slight seepage at the power steering rack should be followed up by checking for fresh fluid around the rack boots and beneath the vehicle after standing, as well as listening for any whining or groaning from the pump when turning lock to lock. The 2025 failure for the offside parking brake being inoperative on one side, although not repeated since, means the handbrake should be tested on an incline to confirm it holds firmly on both sides and does not bind or release unevenly. Given the documented pattern of front-end wear, a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with Transits is strongly advisable, with particular attention paid to the condition of any recently replaced CV joints and suspension bushes to verify the quality and completeness of the repairs.