2008 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · GF08 NND

This 2008 Ford Transit failed its most recent MOT on 6 May 2026 at 147,277 miles, and the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. The 2026 failure list is the longest and most concerning on record, combining active safety faults with advanced structural corrosion. A corroded nearside inner sill was flagged as significantly reduced in rigidity, which is a step beyond the "not significantly reduced" corrosion noted in 2024 and 2025. Multiple brake pipes were corroded and contaminated with grease or other material, the brake pedal was described as spongy, and all four brake discs were worn, pitted, or scored. Headlamp aim, washer fluid, and a rear registration plate lamp were also flagged. The vehicle has not held a clean pass since November 2023. The mileage progression tells a story of very light recent use. The Transit covered just 525 miles between the March 2025 failure and the May 2026 failure, both recorded at essentially the same 146,752 to 147,277 mile band. Prior to that, it accumulated 3,598 miles between November 2023 and November 2024, and only around 6 miles between the two March and April 2025 tests, suggesting the vehicle may have been presented for retest immediately after repair. The annualised average of roughly 8,182 miles is typical for an 18-year-old commercial vehicle, but the recent plateau indicates prolonged stationary periods, which accelerates brake corrosion, brake pipe deterioration, and structural rot in sills and steps. A buyer should treat the structural corrosion as the primary concern. The 2024 failure already identified excessive corrosion affecting both inner sills and steps, with the nearside rear suspension mounting area corroded enough to significantly reduce structural strength. By 2026, the nearside inner sill had deteriorated to the point where rigidity was significantly reduced, and the offside rear outer structure also showed corrosion. Any inspection must probe both sills, the step mounts, and the area within 30cm of suspension mounting points with a screwdriver or hammer, not just a visual check. Surface rust on a Transit of this age is expected, but the DVSA tester's language in 2026 suggests perforation or section loss may already be present. The braking system demands equal scrutiny. Corroded brake pipes, contaminated with grease, combined with a spongy pedal, point to degraded fluid, possible seal swelling in the master cylinder, or air ingress. All four discs were flagged as worn, pitted, or scored in both 2025 and 2026, and rear pads were noted as thin in the latest test. The offside front suspension arm rear bush has appeared as worn in three consecutive tests, indicating a component that has been deteriorating slowly and may now need replacement alongside any corrosion repairs. Before purchase, a full brake system inspection, a suspension bush and ball joint check, and a detailed structural assessment of the sills and step areas are essential.