2002 Ford Transit 2.4L Diesel · DN02 TKC

A 24-year-old Ford Transit with this mileage profile carries a notable pattern of corrosion advisories and recurring component wear across the seven recorded MOT tests, with two failures in the record and a cluster of structural, steering, and braking advisories that have built up steadily over time. The most recent test on 30 October 2025 resulted in a pass, but the inspection only followed two days after a failure on 28 October 2025 caused by an excessively corroded parking brake mechanism and associated mounting area on the cross member. This is the third structural corrosion advisory in the file, joining nearside rear chassis corrosion noted in 2025 and cross member corrosion above the fuel tank flagged in both 2023 test entries. The steering and drivetrain picture is also concerning, with a prop shaft bearing with slight play and play in the offside steering rack inner joint appearing as advisories on both 2025 tests, and the rear anti-roll bar D bush recorded as excessively worn at the 2021 failure. Together these entries indicate ongoing chassis and front-end wear rather than isolated incidents. The recorded mileage of 207,277 miles across approximately 24 years equates to an average of roughly 8,600 miles per year, which sits within typical commercial van expectations for this age and body style. There are however two extended gaps in the MOT history that are worth factoring in. No tests are recorded between March 2020 and April 2021, and a longer absence runs from April 2021 through to November 2023, meaning the vehicle was either off the road, not subject to testing, or the records are incomplete for those periods. The mileage progression between consecutive tests, from the 2020 entry through to the 2025 tests, points to consistent working use once the vehicle returned to the road. For a Transit of this vintage and accumulated mileage, this level of annual running will accelerate wear on suspension bushes, steering components, brake discs and pipes, and propshaft universals, all of which are reflected in the recorded advisories. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the components flagged repeatedly in the MOT record. On a test drive, listen for clonks or rotational graunching from the prop shaft bearing area, particularly at idle and on take-up of drive, and check for slack by hand on the steering rack inner joint at the offside, as any worsening of the noted play would point toward imminent replacement. Inspect the front suspension arms, particularly the offside lower ball joint and the nearside front arm rear bush, both previously flagged with slight play, by pushing and pulling the wheel to detect knock or movement over uneven surfaces. The braking system warrants careful evaluation given the 2023 advisory for both front discs being pitted and scored, fluctuating service brake performance, imbalanced rear braking, and a parking brake lever with little reserve travel, together with corroded brake pipes across the front-to-rear runs noted in 2020 and 2021. Pump the pedal to feel for sponginess or judder under firm application, and confirm the handbrake holds securely on a hill with minimal lever travel remaining. Chassis condition is the single most important area for physical inspection, given the recurring structural advisories around the cross member and rear chassis. Examine the cross member area above the fuel tank, the parking brake mechanism mounting region, and the nearside rear chassis within 30cm of mounting points for perforation, flaking, or any deep scaling that could progress beyond the current advisory grade. Oil leaks from the engine and gearbox have appeared in 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025, alongside power steering seepage in the most recent tests, so check the underside for fresh drips, residue trails on the power steering rack and hoses, and wet patches around the sump and gearbox bellhousing. Given the failed parking brake component in late 2025, verify that the recent pass was not obtained solely by repair of that item while leaving the underlying cross member corrosion untreated, and obtain documentation of what rectification work was actually carried out before purchase.