2015 Ford Transit Connect 1.6L Diesel · EX65 FCE

The vehicle passed its most recent DVSA MOT on 20 August 2025 with no defects or advisories recorded, continuing a notably clean run of annual passes stretching back to 2021. Each of the five recorded tests has returned a straightforward pass with no advisories, which on the surface suggests a stable and consistent maintenance pattern with no recurring mechanical concerns flagged by the examiner. While the absence of advisories is reassuring, it should be interpreted cautiously: an MOT pass confirms the vehicle met the minimum statutory standard on the day of testing, and items not inspected under the MOT scheme (such as the clutch, gearbox internals, engine oil condition, or auxiliary drive belts) remain unverified. The unbroken clean record does, however, indicate that no safety-critical components have deteriorated to failure point in recent years. With around 59,720 recorded miles over approximately eleven years, the annualised usage works out at roughly 5,400 miles per year, which is well below average for a commercial-derived van of this type. Such low mileage can indicate gentle, light-duty use, but it also raises the likelihood of extended periods of standing or very short trips, both of which can be detrimental to certain components. Low-mileage vehicles are particularly susceptible to issues that arise from lack of regular use rather than from wear, including brake disc corrosion from sitting, dried or perished rubber components, and stale lubricants. The consistent year-on-year MOT submissions suggest the vehicle has been in regular use rather than laid up for prolonged periods, which is a positive indicator. Despite the clean MOT history, a prospective buyer should carry out several age-and-mileage-appropriate physical inspections before purchase. Begin with the tyres: even with adequate tread depth, check the sidewalls and tread face for perishing, cracking, or weather-checking caused by age rather than wear, and verify that none of the tyres are older than six years from their DOT date stamp. Examine the brake discs, particularly the rear drums or discs, for signs of surface rust, pitting, or lipping caused by infrequent use, and confirm the calipers are not binding by ensuring the vehicle rolls freely when hand-pushed on level ground. Inspect the underside and suspension components for corrosion on coil springs, anti-roll bar links, and brake lines, as Transits of this era can suffer from surface corrosion on exposed metalwork. On a test drive, listen for suspension knocks or clonks over uneven surfaces, feel for any pulling under braking which may indicate a seized caliper, and check for a dead or hesitant gear selection that might point to a tired dual-mass flywheel or clutch slave cylinder. Given the calendar age of the vehicle, several time-based service items warrant verification regardless of the clean MOT record. Confirm that the cambelt or timing chain service interval has been observed; the 1.5 and 1.6 TDCi diesel engines fitted to the Transit Connect of this era are typically chain-driven but the auxiliary drive belt and tensioner should have been renewed within the last four to five years. Check the 12V battery, which typically has a service life of four to six years, by ensuring it holds charge and starts the vehicle promptly without sluggish cranking. Verify the brake fluid has been changed within the last two years, and that the engine oil and filter have been replaced at least annually, as low-mileage short-trip use can allow moisture and fuel dilution to accumulate in the oil. Finally, ensure there is a full service history with stamped or digital evidence of recent work, and consider an independent pre-purchase inspection by a technician familiar with Ford commercial vehicles to examine areas the MOT does not cover, such as clutch feel, gearbox synchro wear, turbo actuator operation, and any oil leaks from the rear main seal or injectors.