2009 Ford Transit 2.4L Diesel · FE09 XOO

A chronic pattern of front suspension wear is the defining mechanical theme of this Transit's MOT record, with the front anti-roll bar linkage appearing as a repeat offender across multiple tests. The most recent examination on 2025-02-22 returned a pass but flagged slight play in both front anti-roll bar ball joints, mirroring a January 2020 dangerous failure where the nearside bush was excessively worn and the offside pin was deemed likely to become detached. That the same component category has surfaced at both ends of a six-year testing window suggests the front anti-roll bar bushes and drop links are a known wear item on this chassis rather than a one-off replacement. Combined with rear brake disc wear noted at the same 2025 test, there is a clear trend of consumables and suspension joints accumulating wear at the front axle, which a buyer should treat as an ongoing maintenance liability. Mileage on this Transit stands at 204,515 miles across roughly seventeen years, equating to around 12,000 miles per year on average, a heavy usage profile for a van of this age and one that places significant cumulative stress on clutches, dual-mass flywheels if fitted, engine internals, and the suspension and braking components already flagged in the MOT record. The testing history is broadly consistent, with annual examinations between 2019 and early 2025 and no extended gaps that would indicate long-term storage, although the omission of 2021 likely reflects a six-month exemption during the pandemic rather than any lapse in road use. Given the high accumulated mileage, it is reasonable to anticipate that major drivetrain items, including gearbox mountings and possibly engine ancillaries, will be approaching or past original service life even where MOT testing does not directly inspect them. The 2025 advisories on both front anti-roll bar ball joints and rear brake disc wear warrant close physical inspection before purchase. With the vehicle raised, the drop links and anti-roll bar bushes should be levered by hand to confirm whether the slight play recorded has progressed; on the road, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over uneven surfaces and watch for vague or imprecise turn-in that suggests the bar is no longer effectively locating the suspension. The rear brake discs should be inspected for a sharp lip on the outer edge and measured for thickness against the Ford minimum specification, with any visible scorching or heat-shedding discolouration indicating prolonged operation on worn pads. The rear inner sill corrosion advisory, while recorded as not significantly reducing structural rigidity at the time of examination, sits on a vehicle with very high mileage and seventeen years of road exposure, meaning rust progression between tests is a realistic prospect. A torch and careful probing along both inner and outer sills, jacking points, and the rear spring hangers is essential, with particular attention to whether the surface corrosion has begun to laminate or pit deeply, as this directly affects structural integrity assessment criteria at future tests. A test drive should include loaded braking from moderate speed to check for pull or judder that could indicate caliper binding given the high mileage, and any knocking or creaking from the rear leaf spring area should prompt immediate inspection of the spring hangers and mounting bushes for corrosion-related looseness.