2021 Ford Transit Connect 1.5L Diesel · BL70 DMX

The 2021 Ford Transit Connect presents a mixed maintenance picture. It passed its most recent MOT on 22 January 2026 at 113,801 miles, but the pass was not clean. The tester flagged front brake pads wearing thin and an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit. This follows a pattern of recurring tyre and brake wear issues rather than a single isolated event. The trend is not worsening in a structural sense, but it does suggest consumable upkeep has been reactive rather than proactive. The mileage accumulation is notably high for a five-year-old vehicle. Between the January 2024 test at 83,877 miles and the January 2026 test at 113,801 miles, the van covered 29,924 miles in two years, averaging roughly 15,000 miles annually in that period. The earlier record shows a jump from 83,877 miles in January 2024 to 107,841 miles by January 2025, a gain of 23,964 miles in twelve months. This is consistent with intensive commercial or fleet use. High annual mileage accelerates wear on suspension bushes, brake discs, tyres, and drivetrain components, and the MOT record reflects that reality. The January 2025 failure at 107,841 miles is the most technically revealing entry. The tester identified excessively worn front suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides, worn and pitted front and rear brake discs, multiple tyre defects including a cut to the nearside rear, and a damaged front bumper with missing grilles causing the cooling fan to run constantly. The fan issue was severe enough that emissions testing could not be completed because the engine failed to reach operating temperature. This cluster of faults points to a period where the vehicle was driven hard with deferred maintenance. The fact that the January 2026 test recorded no suspension or brake disc defects suggests those items were addressed, but the return of worn front pads and a worn tyre edge indicates attention has slipped again. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension arm bushes and ball joints, given the excessive wear flagged in 2025. The front brake pads are currently thin and will need replacement imminently. Check the offside front tyre for edge wear and confirm the date code, as uneven wear may point to tracking or alignment issues. Examine the front bumper and grille area for damage repair quality and verify the cooling fan operates correctly through a full heat cycle. With over 113,000 miles on the clock, also inspect the exhaust system for corrosion, check all brake lines and hoses for perishing, and assess the condition of the rear suspension springs and dampers. The high-mileage profile means these components are well into their service life and should be evaluated with that in mind.