2020 Ford Transit 350 Limited Ecoblue 2.0L Diesel · CB65 ROB

A persistent oil leak has been flagged at four of the five recorded MOT events, including the most recent pass on 15 June 2026 and the 2025, 2024 and 2023 tests, with each examiner categorising it as not excessive under item 8.4.1 (a) (i). While none of these have progressed to a failure category, the recurrence across consecutive annual tests points to a chronic sealing issue, most likely from an engine or gearbox area given the EcoBlue diesel architecture. The single failure recorded on 19 June 2023 was restricted to both headlamp aim defects (nearside and offside too high under 4.1.2 (a)), which were corrected without further recurrence, and the 2024 test was returned with no advisories at all. The latest test on 15 June 2026 also flagged tyres worn close to the legal limit on all four corners, which is the first time the rubber has been remarked upon in the record and is worth scrutinising on inspection. With 31,177 miles accumulated over six years, the vehicle is running at roughly 5,200 miles annually, a notably low figure for a commercial-grade Transit 350. Low annual mileage of this nature reduces wear on high-mileage consumables such as brake discs and clutches but introduces separate mechanical considerations, particularly around standing-start corrosion on underbody components, brake disc surface corrosion from infrequent use, and potential drying of rubber seals. The recorded mileage has progressed steadily with no unusual jumps or gaps between test dates, indicating the van has been in continuous light service rather than left dormant for extended periods, which is reassuring from a deterioration standpoint. The chronic oil leak is the principal item requiring hands-on examination before purchase. During a viewing, look for fresh oil residue or wet staining on the engine block, around the sump plug, the turbocharger oil feed and return lines, and the injector sealing washers, all common EcoBlue seepage points, then inspect the underside for drips on the subframe, crossmember and bellhousing. Check the coolant level and condition for any cross-contamination that might suggest a more serious internal seal failure, and ask when the oil and filter were last changed, as a low-mileage diesel benefits from annual oil changes irrespective of distance to prevent bore glazing and additive depletion. On the test drive, listen for any change in engine note, watch for blue smoke on overrun or under hard acceleration, and monitor the oil level on the dashboard dipstick reading over a few days of use to establish whether the leak rate is worsening. The tyre advisory on the June 2026 test warrants a careful check of all four corners for uneven shoulder wear, particularly inner-edge wear which can indicate worn front suspension components such as top mounts, wishbone bushes or drop links, items that should be inspected for perished rubber, free play and any knocking under load. With front brake pads previously flagged as wearing thin in 2023 and rear pads noted as wearing thin in 2025, the brake system has been a recurring item; on the test drive expect firm pedal feel without sponginess, listen for any grinding or scraping from the calipers, and check for binding by confirming all four discs run cool after a short drive rather than one remaining noticeably warm. The headlamp aim failure from 2023 is unlikely to recur if alignment is correct, but verify both lamps sit level and project onto a flat surface at the correct height during any pre-purchase walkaround, particularly if the van has been loaded with heavy equipment or roof rack accessories that could shift the beam pattern.