2006 Ford Transit 2.4L Diesel · FM06 XAW

Chronic front brake wear and ongoing exhaust deterioration dominate the mechanical history of this 2006 Ford Transit, with the most recent test on 4 December 2025 passing but flagging a cluster of advisories which echo problems recorded at every inspection since 2023. The front brake discs on both nearside and offside have been noted as pitted or scored on their inner surfaces at three consecutive tests, while the nearside front tyre has been flagged as worn close to the legal limit on its inner edge at every visit since 2023, suggesting an unresolved geometry or suspension geometry issue that is persistently eating the inside shoulder of the front tyres. Exhaust concerns have likewise progressed: a minor front pipe leak noted as advisories at the two 2024 tests has since developed into an advisory for excessive smoke or vapour, and combined with the prop shaft flexible coupling deterioration flagged in December 2025, the underside of this vehicle warrants close scrutiny. The absence of any advisories in October 2023 makes the subsequent accumulation of brake, exhaust, tyre and drivetrain wear particularly notable, indicating that the intervening mileage has taken a clear toll on the consumable and underbody components. At 141,488 miles over a 20-year life, this Transit averages roughly 7,074 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a working van of this age and type. The recorded mileage progression between the 2023 and 2024 tests, combined with the steady annual accumulation since, points to a vehicle that has remained in fairly regular service rather than one that has been laid up for extended periods, which is reassuring for an older commercial vehicle. However, the mileage alone does not explain why front discs, front tyres, and the exhaust have all deteriorated to advisory level within a relatively short testing window. The pattern suggests that wear items are being identified late in their service life, which is common on vans that cover high mileages between services, and prospective buyers should be mindful that several components flagged as advisory at one MOT can quickly progress to failure at the next if not addressed in the interim. A prospective buyer should treat the front brake system as the immediate priority, as both inner disc surfaces have been scored across multiple tests and the nearside front brake pads were flagged as thin in October 2024. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or scraping noise on light pedal application, and feel for pedal judder or vibration through the steering wheel under firm braking, which would confirm the disc lipping that scoring produces. Inspect the nearside front brake pipe for active corrosion or any fresh sealant or grease coating, as this advisory has appeared at both 2024 tests and could indicate a leak being masked rather than rectified. Check the front tyres closely for uneven inner shoulder wear, as the recurring inner-edge advisory strongly hints at worn suspension bushes, a tired front anti-roll bar drop link, or possibly worn top mounts, and on the road expect vague steering, a slight pull to one side, or a clonking noise over speed humps if these components are past their service life. The underside and drivetrain require equal attention given the exhaust and prop shaft advisories recorded at the December 2025 test. On a cold start, observe whether the exhaust emits visible blue or dense white smoke that lingers, as the advisory for excessive vapour or smoke suggests the engine may be developing oil consumption issues or a failing turbo, and a sustained cloud on startup would indicate worn valve stem seals or a turbo seal leak. With the engine running, listen underneath the vehicle for a rhythmic clonking or clicking from the prop shaft area, particularly when selecting drive or reverse, as a deteriorating flexible coupling typically announces itself through drivetrain shunt or vibration felt through the floor at low speed. Inspect the front section of the exhaust system for black soot deposits around the front pipe joint, and check the rear shock absorbers for fresh oil weeping down the body, as the offside rear unit was flagged for light misting in November 2024 and may have worsened. Finally, jack the van or use a ramp to inspect the front subframe mounting points, brake pipes along their full run, and the prop shaft centre bearing for play, all of which are common corrosion and wear hotspots on Transits of this age and mileage and would carry significant rectification cost if structural deterioration has set in.