2018 Ford Transit Custom 2.0L Diesel · FL68 AYW

Recurring brake system defects dominate the roadworthiness history of this Ford Transit Custom, establishing a pattern that requires careful scrutiny from any prospective buyer. The vehicle most recently passed an MOT test on 2025-12-05, following an immediate rectification of a major failure just three days prior for an inoperative parking brake and low braking efficiency. This late-2025 failure succeeded an earlier 2025 test where the vehicle failed due to an excessively binding offside rear service brake, alongside advisories noting pitted and scored rear brake discs and a front tyre worn down to two millimetres on the edge. Earlier records from 2024, 2022, and 2021 show clean passes with no recorded defects, indicating that the mechanical stress on the braking architecture has intensified during the vehicle's later years of operation. Accumulating 111,715 miles across its eight-year lifespan translates to an average of roughly 13,964 miles annually, an intensive usage profile typical of a hard-working commercial vehicle. This high-mileage accumulation means that major drivetrain components, suspension linkages, and wheel bearings have experienced sustained heavy-duty operation. While the testing cadence has remained consistent without extended gaps or off-road storage periods, the rapid succession of brake failures and disc wear advisories during 2025 demonstrates that consumables and mechanical assemblies are actively wearing down under this high-mileage workload. When conducting your physical inspection and test drive, pay meticulous attention to the rear braking system given its troubled history in the MOT logs. Listen closely for any grinding, scraping, or squealing noises from the rear wheels that would indicate lingering disc scoring or a re-binding caliper, and test the handbrake on a steep incline to ensure it holds the heavy chassis securely without excessive lever travel. Check the inner and outer edges of all tyres for uneven tread wear patterns, particularly on the front axle, and feel the brake pedal for any pulsation or judder during medium-to-hard deceleration from cruising speeds. Beyond the braking components, inspect the suspension bushes, drop links, and structural underpinnings for premature wear resulting from the high annual mileage and heavy commercial usage. Listen for any hollow knocking or clunking noises from the front and rear suspension when driving over potholes, speed humps, or uneven road surfaces. Verify that the parking brake releases cleanly without dragging on either rear wheel once lowered, and ensure that the vehicle tracks straight under braking without pulling to one side.