2008 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · AF08 OTP

Against a fairly demanding commercial-van service schedule, this Transit has strung together four consecutive clean MOT passes at its 2022, 2023, 2024 and most recent 2025-07-10 examinations, with not a single advisory, minor defect or failure recorded against it. That is an unusually tidy sheet for a vehicle of this age and class, where advisories for wear items are almost the norm rather than the exception. The absence of flagged deterioration across two full MOT cycles speaks to a platform that has, at least on the evidence of statutory testing, held its structural and mechanical integrity together well. The clear test on 10 July 2025 confirms the trend has continued rather than regressed, giving a buyer immediate reassurance that the van is currently roadworthy on every item the MOT inspector is required to assess. Running 164,986 miles over roughly eighteen years equates to an annual accumulation of around 9,166 miles, which sits comfortably within the normal range for a working Transit of this generation. There are no extended out-of-service gaps in the MOT sequence that would suggest long periods standing unattended, which is significant for commercial steel because prolonged storage often accelerates underbody corrosion, dries out suspension bushes and degrades brake hydraulic seals. Equally, the mileage progression is not so aggressive that it implies gruelling fleet use, so wear on the clutch, turbo and drivetrain is unlikely to be extreme. In short, the usage pattern is consistent with steady, moderate commercial or trade work rather than abuse or neglect. Because the MOT history is completely clean of advisories, there is no specific component flagged for immediate scrutiny, but the mileage band means a buyer cannot afford to be complacent on the usual high-wear Transit areas. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over bumps and on full lock, particularly from the anti-roll bar drop links, wishbone bushes and track rod ends, which are known Transit weak points once vans pass the 150,000-mile mark. Feel for any pulling under braking, which can indicate a binding rear caliper or a warped front disc, and check that the steering returns to centre smoothly without vagueness. Inspect the underside, paying close attention to the front subframe mounting points, inner sill seams, brake pipe runs along the chassis and the suspension spring seats, as corrosion in these areas can develop between MOTs without yet crossing the failure threshold. The diesel powerplant should also be evaluated in person despite the absence of emissions advisories. At idle, look for excessive smoke from the exhaust, particularly on the overrun, and listen for any signs of timing chain rattle on cold start, which is a known concern on the higher-output Transit TDCi units once they reach this mileage. Check for oil misting around the cam cover and front crankshaft seal, and verify the coolant level is stable, as head gasket failures and EGR cooler failures have been recurring themes. A compression test or at minimum a thorough road observation under load would be prudent. With the statutory sheet reading as well as it does, the main risk for a buyer now lies in components that are nearing the end of their functional lifespan but have not yet tipped into MOT failure territory, so a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with Transits would be money well spent.