2020 Ford Transit Custom 300LEADER Eblue 2.0L Diesel · EX20 VSA

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2020 Ford Transit Custom 300 Leader EcoBlue was conducted on 26 March 2024, at which point the vehicle passed with no defects or advisories recorded. This represents a clear improvement over the immediately prior test, which was failed on 25 March 2024 for a deteriorated offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover, an inoperative front windscreen washer, and an advisory for an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit on its edge. The fact that the failure on 25 March was followed by a pass on 26 March suggests that the defects were addressed promptly rather than the vehicle being presented in a deteriorating mechanical state. The 2023 test cycle also shows a fail-to-pass pattern within a single day, with a failed wiper and an advisory for a nearside rear tyre exhibiting flat spots and uneven inner-edge wear, again followed by an immediate retest pass. Overall the maintenance trend appears stable and reactive, with the keeper addressing defects as they are identified at test, rather than the vehicle showing a progressive worsening of its roadworthiness profile. With recorded mileage of 87,375 miles over approximately six years, this Transit Custom is accumulating at around 14,500 miles per year, which is notably high for a vehicle of its age and is indicative of intensive commercial or fleet use. This level of annual mileage is consistent with what one might expect from a working van, and it places considerable cumulative demand on the consumables and mechanical components. High-mileage commercial vehicles typically exhibit accelerated wear on braking components, suspension bushes, springs, and drivetrain mountings, and the recorded MOT history does begin to reflect this, with advisories for edge tyre wear and suspension ball joint deterioration already appearing within the first six years of service. There are no significant gaps in mileage progression visible in the recorded tests, suggesting the vehicle has remained in continuous operation, which is mechanically demanding but also reduces the risk of standing-related degradation. For a prospective buyer, the recurring advisories for uneven tyre wear warrant close physical attention, as uneven inner-edge wear on a commercial vehicle frequently points to compromised suspension geometry, worn wishbone or trailing arm bushes, sagging coil springs, or tracking misalignment. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over bumps and speed humps, particularly from the offside, where the dust cover failure was recorded, and pay attention to any steering vagueness, wandering, or vibration through the wheel, which would indicate that the underlying cause of the wear has not been fully rectified. Inspect all four tyres carefully for both tread depth and any uneven wear patterns across the width of the carcass, and check the sidewalls for perishing or cracking given the vehicle's age. The ball joint dust cover failure should also prompt a physical examination of the joint itself for any play or roughness when the wheel is rocked by hand, as a perished cover allows rapid contamination of the joint and premature failure. Beyond the recorded defects, the high annual mileage and six-year age of this Transit Custom demand thorough inspection of time and use-served items regardless of MOT outcome. The braking system should be examined for disc wear, corrosion around the disc circumference, and any signs of binding calipers, which are common on heavily used commercial vehicles. Verify the service history to confirm timely replacement of engine oil, diesel particulate filter additive levels, brake fluid, coolant, and transmission fluid, as calendar-based fluid degradation can compromise reliability even on a vehicle that has covered consistent mileage. The 12V battery should be load-tested if possible, as commercial vans often suffer from shortened battery life due to frequent stop-start cycles and high electrical load from auxiliary equipment. Finally, inspect the underside for any fluid leaks from the engine, power steering, or differential, examine the exhaust for corrosion and blow, and confirm that the EBlue AdBlue system is functioning correctly, as faults in this area are increasingly common MOT failure points on modern diesel commercials.