2018 Ford Transit Custom 2.0L Diesel · CV68 PFD

A recurring pattern of brake-related advisories across the MOT record forms the central mechanical narrative of this 2018 Ford Transit Custom. The front brake pads were flagged as wearing thin in both 2021 (both nearside and offside) and again in 2025, and in 2025 the front brake discs were additionally noted as worn, pitted, or scored. The most recent test on 25 September 2025 resulted in a pass, but only after an earlier failure on the same date for both headlamps not working on dipped beam, which were rectified prior to the pass. Minor defects were also recorded for a defective front wiper blade and a nearside front side repeater lens with no effect on emitted light. The 2024 test passed with a single advisory for rear brake pad wear, and the 2023 test passed with no defects. Overall, the trajectory shows a vehicle that has remained roadworthy but with a consistent pattern of front brake component wear accumulating over the four-year MOT history. With 65,426 miles recorded over approximately eight years, the Transit Custom is averaging around 8,178 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and type. The MOT history shows a gap between October 2021 and March 2023, and another between September 2024 and September 2025, but this is consistent with annual testing intervals on a vehicle that has remained in active use. For a commercial-derived van, this mileage profile suggests regular but not excessively heavy duty, meaning wear on suspension, drivetrain, and braking components should have progressed at a moderate, predictable rate rather than being accelerated by extreme use. Given the documented front brake wear pattern, particular attention should be paid to the braking system during a pre-purchase inspection. The front discs were noted as pitted and scored in 2025, so feel for any vibration or judder through the steering wheel or brake pedal under firm application, and listen for any grinding or scraping noises that might indicate pad material is now exhausted and metal-on-metal contact is occurring. The front caliper slide pins and guide mechanisms should be checked for free movement, as binding calipers are a common cause of uneven pad wear on Transits of this generation. With rear pads flagged in 2024, the rear caliper pistons and handbrake mechanism should also be inspected for correct operation and any signs of seizure. The headlamp failure recorded at the most recent test, affecting both sides simultaneously on dipped beam, warrants verification that the replacement bulbs are correctly seated and that the wiring and multi-plug connectors at the rear of each headlamp unit are free from corrosion or heat damage, a known issue on Transit Customs of this era. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, as commercial van use places heavy loads on the lower control arm bushes, drop links, and anti-roll bar mountings, none of which have been flagged but are typical wear items at this mileage. Finally, confirm the operation of the wipers, indicators, and all exterior lighting, and verify that the side repeater lens has been replaced, as the minor defect noted at the last test should have been a straightforward repair.