2011 Ford Transit 2.4L Diesel · CF11 OJM

A recurring pattern of front anti-roll bar wear and rear tyre degradation defines the mechanical narrative of this 2011 Ford Transit, with the trajectory culminating in a fail on 2026-07-07 before it subsequently passed two days later on 2026-07-09 following remedial work. The failure itself was relatively shallow, lacking any categorised major or dangerous defects, and the advisories issued at the time mirrored those flagged at the post-repair pass, including nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint play, an engine oil leak deemed not excessive, and three rear tyres worn close to the legal limit. Looking back through 2024 and 2023, nearside rear inner tyres had previously suffered nail incursions, and the offside front anti-roll bar ball joint was flagged for play alongside steering rack inner joint play, confirming that the front suspension geometry has been a recurring point of attention over multiple test cycles. The overall trend suggests a vehicle that remains fundamentally roadworthy but is showing progressive wear in specific components rather than a clean, trouble-free bill of health. At 63,853 miles across roughly fifteen years, this Transit has accumulated an average of approximately 4,257 miles annually, which is notably low for a commercial vehicle of this type. Light commercial vans typically see far higher annual mileages, often driven hard on delivery routes or trade work, so this figure suggests either a period of light commercial use, significant standing time, or a life split between light duties and prolonged inactivity. Low annual mileage of this nature can be a mixed mechanical proposition: it reduces wear on high-mileage items like clutches, drivetrain internals, and major braking components, but long periods of standing can accelerate corrosion on brake discs, degrade rubber bushes and seals through lack of articulation, and lead to oil leaks as gaskets dry out, the latter of which appears consistent with the noted oil seepage. The 2025 test flagged obviously under-inflated rear tyres, which on a low-use vehicle often points to standing-time-related deflation rather than active service damage. For a prospective buyer, the front anti-roll bar ball joint issue warrants direct physical attention. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end, particularly over speed bumps, uneven surfaces, and during direction changes at moderate speed, and feel for any vagueness or tremor through the steering wheel which can indicate worn drop links or deteriorated bushes. With the offside front steering rack inner joint flagged in 2024, pay close attention to any knocking or shimmy when turning the wheel on full lock, and check for uneven tyre wear across the front axle, as a worn inner joint often presents as feathered or stepped wear on the inner edges. The nearside rear inner tyre has now suffered nail damage on two separate occasions in 2023 and 2025, which is unusual and may merit a careful inspection of the wheel rim for hairline damage or slow sealant-defeating porosity. The persistent oil leak, while assessed as not excessive on both the failed and passed 2026 tests, is worth monitoring with a datapad-style check of the underside during a viewing and a physical inspection of the engine bay for fresh residue. Given the vehicle's age and low mileage, common Transit oil leak sources include the timing chain area, rocker cover gasket, and front or rear crankshaft seals, and the leak rate should be judged by asking the seller to show the oil level on the dipstick and demonstrating roughly how much has been lost between services. The rear tyre wear flagged across multiple inner and outer positions in 2026 also warrants scrutiny of the rear axle geometry, including checking for bent springs, worn leaf eye bushes, or a perished shock absorber mount, as uneven wear across three separate rear tyre positions is more commonly attributable to suspension geometry than alignment alone. Finally, request evidence of recent brake disc and pad renewal, as the 2025 under-inflation advisories suggest prolonged standing and brake corrosion is a recognised risk on such vehicles.