2018 Ford Transit Custom 2.0L Diesel · FL68 ABK

The most recent DVSA examination on 6 November 2025 resulted in a clean pass with no advisories or defects recorded, indicating that the vehicle was presented in a satisfactory roadworthy condition at that time. Looking at the broader test history, the pattern is broadly stable but worth interpreting carefully. Two passes with no recorded defects bracket a serious failure event on 1 November 2024, which contained both dangerous and major category defects, and there is also a further minor but test-failing item from October 2023 relating to wiper effectiveness. The four- to five-week turnaround between the November 2024 fail and the subsequent re-test pass suggests that the required rectification work was carried out promptly, and the clean follow-up in 2025 supports the view that those issues have not recurred. However, a prospective buyer should not view the latest pass in isolation; the cluster of tyre, lighting, and visibility-related defects in late 2024 is informative about previous maintenance discipline and warrants specific attention during physical inspection. With a recorded mileage of 72,649 against an approximate age of eight years, this Transit Custom is averaging around 9,000 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of its type and age, particularly one used for light commercial or mixed duties. There are no significant gaps between successive MOT recordings that would suggest prolonged standing, and the mileage progression between tests is consistent with steady, regular use rather than rapid accumulation. This kind of usage profile is mechanically favourable for components such as the clutch, brakes, tyres, and drivetrain, because they have been worked regularly rather than left to degrade through inactivity. That said, vans of this age and duty cycle commonly accumulate wear in suspension, driveline mountings, and load-bearing components earlier than passenger equivalents, so the mileage alone should not lead to complacency during inspection. The defects recorded at the November 2024 failure are worth treating as a focus area even though the vehicle subsequently returned a clean test. The dangerous offside rear tyre defect indicates that at least one tyre had been left in an unsafe condition, and combined with advisories on both front tyres being worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edges, this points to either uneven wear, misalignment, or a delayed replacement cycle. Edge wear on front tyres can often indicate tracking misalignment, worn suspension bushes, or incorrect inflation under load, and a buyer should carefully inspect the current tyres for consistent tread, even wear across the contact patch, and any signs of feathering or scuffing. The major headlamp aim defect suggests that the offside headlamp required manual re-aiming, which on a commercial vehicle can be triggered by heavy loading, minor impacts, or simply previous neglect, so the current headlamp alignment and condition of the headlamp securing hardware should be checked. The washer non-function and ineffective wiper defects from 2024 and 2023 respectively, while appearing minor, can indicate either a failing washer pump, blocked nozzles, perished wiper linkages, or simply that wiper blades had not been replaced for some time, and a buyer should verify current wiper blade condition, washer jet operation, and screenwash reservoir contents on the day of viewing. Given that the vehicle is now eight years old, even with relatively modest annual mileage, calendar-based degradation remains highly relevant. Tyre sidewalls should be inspected closely for perishing and cracking, which is common on vehicles of this age regardless of remaining tread depth. Brake discs, particularly on a van that may have stood for periods between jobs, are prone to surface corrosion and the calipers can seize or bind if the vehicle has been left unused; a test drive should include several firm brake applications from moderate speed to confirm straight-line stability and absence of shudder, vibration, or pulling. The 12V battery health should be assessed, as commercial vehicles frequently suffer from shortened battery life due to high parasitic loads from ancillary equipment. Brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil should all be checked for condition and service history, with reference to the service book stamps, as these fluids degrade with time regardless of mileage, and a record of timely replacement adds confidence to the overall maintenance picture.