2005 Ford Transit Connect 1.8L Diesel · AJ05 BYU

The vehicle shows a clear trend of accelerating structural and mechanical wear despite its relatively low mileage. In the most recent test in October 2025 at 120,958 miles, the tester flagged multiple significant issues including corrosion on both the offside and nearside sills, as well as corroded brake pipes from front to back. The presence of a deteriorated offside front brake hose and play in the steering rack inner joints and track rod ends indicates that the chassis and steering components are requiring urgent attention. While the vehicle passed, the volume of advisories related to corrosion suggests that the structural integrity is entering a phase where rust-related failures may become frequent. At 21 years old, the Ford Transit Connect has covered 120,958 miles, averaging approximately 5,760 miles per year. This low usage pattern often leads to dry rot in rubber components, which is evidenced by the perishing offside rear tyre and deteriorated joint dust covers noted in 2025. The record shows recurring issues with play in the steering rack inner joints dating back to 2021 and 2022, suggesting that while the vehicle is not driven frequently, the components are not being proactively replaced when they begin to fail. Maintenance history appears reactive rather than preventative. The vehicle failed in 2020 due to an excessive play in the nearside front wheel bearing and various lighting faults, and since then, tyres have consistently been flagged for being near the legal limit or worn uneven. The oil leak noted in both 2020 and 2025 remains a persistent issue. A buyer should prioritize a thorough inspection of the sills and underside to determine if the reported corrosion has progressed beyond surface-level rust, as the transition from general corrosion advisories to specific corroded sills indicates a high risk of future MOT failures in the structural category.