2012 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · AF62 HMH

The DVSA record for this 2012 Ford Transit tells a mechanical story dominated by chronic front suspension wear, recurring brake component issues, and a pattern of advisories that have progressively escalated into outright failures over the last four years. Across the recorded tests there have been three failures, with the most recent on 11 December 2025 citing a dangerously worn steering column universal joint and an excessively worn offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, before a same-day retest on 12 December 2025 passed with the universal joint replaced. The suspension theme is particularly consistent: the offside front lower arm pin or bush has been flagged at every test since December 2024, the nearside front rear bush was a major failure item in December 2023, and both front anti-roll bar D bushes showed slight play in 2023 before the ball joint dust cover failed its inspection that same year. Earlier tests in 2022 additionally noted a fuel pipe leaking at the pump, a defect of notable concern given the fire risk associated with pressurised diesel leaks. Braking has similarly been a weak point, with dangerously thin nearside rear inner brake linings recorded as a Dangerous failure in December 2024, both front brake discs flagged as worn, pitted, or scored across consecutive tests, and an offside front brake pipe noted as corroded in late 2024. The mileage profile is high for the vehicle's age, with 177,601 miles accumulated over roughly fourteen years, equating to an annual average of around 12,686 miles, which is well above the typical mileage band for a van of this vintage. This level of annual accumulation is consistent with a working commercial vehicle used for regular deliveries or trades work, and there are no extended gaps in the testing record that would suggest long periods of standing. The continuous year-on-year testing history with no multi-year absence reinforces that this Transit has remained in active service, which mechanically translates to sustained wear on the clutch, dual-mass flywheel if fitted, turbocharger, injector seals, and drivetrain mounts, alongside the more visible suspension, brake, and underbody corrosion already documented in the MOT history. A prospective buyer should approach this vehicle with close attention to the front suspension, steering, and braking systems that have dominated the advisory record. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, particularly over the offside, where the lower arm bush and anti-roll bar linkage ball joint have been repeatedly flagged, and pay particular attention to any looseness or rattle through the steering wheel, as the universal joint wear flagged in December 2025 is a safety-critical item that can rapidly worsen. Check for uneven or rapid front tyre wear on the inside shoulders, which is a common symptom of worn suspension bushes distorting geometry, and inspect the offside front brake pipe carefully for active corrosion or weeping, as the 2024 advisory specifically noted corrosion in that area. The van should also be examined from underneath for corrosion along both outer sills, which were flagged in 2023, and any evidence of oil misting or dampness around the engine and gearbox should be noted given the persistent oil leak advisory carried across 2024 and 2025. Given the heavy commercial usage profile and the recurring nature of suspension, brake, and corrosion advisories, it would be prudent to budget for imminent replacement of the front suspension bushes, anti-roll bar linkages, and brake discs, as the advisories suggest these components are approaching or have reached the end of their service life. The steering column universal joint replacement that secured the December 2025 pass should be verified with paperwork, and the same applies to the brake linings and fuel pipe repairs from the 2022 and 2024 failures. Beyond the items already recorded, the high mileage makes the dual-mass flywheel, clutch, turbocharger, and injector condition worth a mechanical inspection, and a thorough underbody examination for corrosion beyond the sills would be sensible given the van's age and work history.