2012 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · FG62 FVT

The 2012 Ford Transit presented for your consideration most recently passed its DVSA MOT test on 28 October 2025 with no advisories or defects recorded, indicating that at the time of inspection the vehicle met the minimum statutory roadworthiness requirements across all tested items. A review of the recent test history reveals two failed attempts followed by retest passes within days on both occasions (21 to 22 November 2023 and 18 to 22 November 2024), with no specific failure defects disclosed in the records provided. While these failures followed by immediate passes suggest relatively minor issues were rectified between tests, the absence of recorded defect data means the precise nature of those failures cannot be confirmed from the MOT history alone, and a prospective buyer would be well advised to obtain the underlying failure sheets from the testing garage to understand what remedial work was undertaken on each occasion. With 139,462 miles recorded over approximately 14 years of service, this Transit has accumulated an annual mileage of roughly 9,962 miles, which is broadly typical for a commercial vehicle of its age, though it sits at the lower end of the spectrum for a working van. Lower annual usage of this nature can be advantageous in reducing wear on major drivetrain components but conversely raises concerns regarding age-related degradation and the effects of prolonged standing periods. The relatively consistent pattern of annual MOT testing suggests the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for extended intervals, which is generally preferable for keeping mechanical seals, brake components, and the diesel after-treatment system in healthy working order. Given the clean advisory record and the absence of any recurring or persistent defects flagged over the most recent tests, the buyer should now focus on the practical age and mileage-related inspection points that fall outside the scope of the standard MOT examination. At fourteen years old, tyres warrant particular scrutiny for sidewall perishing, cracking, and dry rot even if the tread depth remains legal, as the rubber compound degrades with calendar age regardless of mileage. Brake discs and calipers should be examined for surface corrosion and binding, given that standing periods can cause caliper sliders to seize and lead to uneven pad wear or pulling under braking. The 12V battery, being well beyond its typical four to five year service life, should be load tested, and the diesel particulate filter should be evaluated for live functionality, particularly if the vehicle has predominantly completed short urban journeys, as this can accelerate soot loading. Further mechanical due diligence should include a thorough check of time-based service items, including engine oil and filter, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid, all of which degrade with age irrespective of mileage and should be refreshed on a calendar basis. The timing belt, if fitted to the particular engine variant, would typically require replacement around the five to seven year interval and must be confirmed as recently renewed with documented evidence. On a test drive, listen for suspension clonks over uneven surfaces indicative of worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, or coil spring seats, and observe for any uneven tyre wear patterns suggesting misalignment or perished suspension bushes. Inspect the underside, jacking points, and structural areas for corrosion, particularly around wheel arches, sills, and the rear crossmember, as commercial vehicles of this vintage commonly suffer from age-related body and chassis deterioration. Finally, verify the service book stamping history and ensure that any repair invoices from the recent MOT failures are available for review, providing confidence that remedial work was carried out to a satisfactory standard.