2007 Ford Transit 2.4L Diesel · AP07 XSN

The most recent DVSA examination on 24 March 2023 resulted in a Pass, but with three recorded advisories that warrant close attention. The previous test on 17 March 2022 was also a Pass, albeit with four advisories of its own. Comparing the two records, the overall maintenance trend is stable rather than improving, with no outright failures but a recurring pattern of advisories spanning tyres, braking components and front suspension. The shift from edge-worn front tyres in 2022 to a nearside rear tyre issue in 2023, alongside progressively noted brake wear, suggests an actively used light commercial vehicle where consumables are being consumed in line with workload. There is nothing in the DVSA history to suggest structural corrosion or major mechanical failure, but the accumulation of advisories across both tests indicates that brake and suspension attention has been deferred rather than rectified. The recorded odometer reading of 244,009 miles on a 2007 example equates to approximately 12,843 miles per annum over a nineteen-year life, which is unremarkable for a working Transit of this era and consistent with genuine operational use. There are no significant gaps in the MOT history presented, and the mileage accumulation appears steady rather than sporadic. For a high-mileage commercial platform of this type, the drivetrain, clutch, turbocharger and ancillary components have clearly absorbed substantial wear, and mechanical sympathy during a test drive is essential. The mileage figure itself should be cross-referenced against the service book and any digital or paper invoices to confirm continuous maintenance intervals, particularly for timing belt replacement, which on the relevant Duratorq and Puma diesel units is critical by mileage and age. The recurring brake-related advisories should form a central part of any pre-purchase inspection. The 2022 test flagged both rear brake discs as worn, pitted or scored though not seriously weakened, while the 2023 test recorded the rear brake pads as wearing thin. This suggests that brake friction material is approaching the end of its service life and that the discs, depending on their remaining thickness, may require machining or replacement at the same time. On a road test, listen for any brake shudder under firm application, excessive pedal travel, or pulling to one side, and inspect the rear calipers for seized slide pins or binding pistons which are common on vehicles that carry heavy loads or stand unused for periods. The discs should be measured for minimum thickness against the manufacturer specification, as pitted surfaces will only worsen and reduce braking efficiency under load. The front suspension advisory in the 2023 test concerning slight play in the offside front ball joint is equally significant for a vehicle of this mileage and weight class. Transit front suspension components, including wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, track rod ends and springs, are prone to wear and tearing under commercial loading, and a worn ball joint can rapidly progress to an MOT failure. On test, listen for clonks or knocks over speed humps and uneven surfaces, check for uneven front tyre wear which would corroborate misalignment or worn geometry components, and inspect the condition of the coil springs for corrosion or fracture, particularly given the vehicle's age. Beyond the recorded advisories, a thorough physical inspection should also address age-related items such as tyre sidewall perishing and cracking from nineteen years of UV exposure, coolant and brake fluid condition which degrade by calendar age regardless of mileage, the 12V battery state of health, and any evidence of fluid leaks from the engine, power steering or rear differential seals. The underside should be examined for structural corrosion around the front subframe, inner sill seams and rear cross members, as commercial Transits of this generation are known to suffer in these areas if not regularly treated.