2012 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · EK62 VKE

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2012 Ford Transit was conducted on 19 July 2025, resulting in a pass with no defects or advisories recorded. This is a reassuring immediate result, indicating that the vehicle met the statutory roadworthiness standards on the date of examination. Looking at the broader trend across the recorded tests, the pattern is one of stability: passes were issued in July 2025, July 2024, July 2023, and May 2022, with only a single failure recorded on 4 July 2023. Notably, the failure entry does not list any defect categories, which is unusual in DVSA records and may indicate an administrative refusal or a test aborted before completion rather than a documented mechanical or structural failure. Following this, the vehicle passed just two weeks later on 18 July 2023, suggesting any underlying issue was rectified promptly. Overall, the absence of recurring advisories related to tyres, brakes, suspension, corrosion, or emissions points to a vehicle that has been maintained to a consistent standard over the recent test cycle. The recorded mileage of 170,740 miles on a 14-year-old commercial vehicle equates to an average annual mileage of approximately 12,196 miles. While this is a moderate figure for a van of this age, it is important to recognise that commercial vehicles such as the Transit frequently accumulate mileage in concentrated working cycles, meaning the actual wear distribution can be uneven across drivetrain, suspension, and braking components. The MOT history provided does not include recorded mileages at the time of each test, which makes it difficult to pinpoint any periods of standing or unusually rapid accumulation. However, given the vehicle's age and likely working history, prospective buyers should anticipate that the engine, clutch, turbocharger (if applicable), and dual-mass flywheel will have undergone substantial duty cycles. Even if the bodywork and structure remain sound, internal wear on high-mileage van components is a natural consequence that should inform any pre-purchase inspection. Given the clean MOT record and the absence of advisories, a prospective buyer should focus inspection efforts on age- and usage-related degradation rather than specific flagged defects. The first priority should be the tyres, paying close attention to sidewall cracking or perishing caused by thirteen or fourteen years of UV exposure and ozone damage, regardless of the tread depth visible on the MOT report. Check the manufacturing date codes on the tyre sidewalls and consider replacing any tyres older than six years. Next, the braking system warrants close physical scrutiny: despite passing the MOT efficiency test, the discs may exhibit corrosion pitting or lipping from age and light use, and the calipers can seize or bind when a vehicle stands for prolonged periods. Listen for scraping or grinding on a test drive, and verify that the handbrake holds firmly on an incline, as commercial vans are particularly prone to rear brake mechanism corrosion. Beyond the mechanical consumables, several time-based service items demand attention on a vehicle of this vintage. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as commercial vehicles often suffer from parasitic drain from ancillary equipment, and a battery older than five years is at significant risk of sudden failure. All fluid systems, including brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and gearbox or transmission oil, should be assessed by service history, as these degrade on a calendar basis rather than purely by mileage. Coolant should be checked for correct concentration to prevent internal corrosion or cavitation within the engine block. Finally, inspect the underbody and suspension components, including coil springs, bushes, drop links, and anti-roll bar mounts, for any signs of wear or surface corrosion that may not yet have reached the MOT failure threshold but could indicate impending replacement. Listen for clonks or knocking over speed bumps, and verify that the steering remains tight and free from excessive play, as these symptoms often manifest before they become severe enough to be recorded as an MOT failure.