2010 Ford Transit 2.5L Diesel · GL10 DMO

The DVSA record for this 2010 Ford Transit shows a worrying recent development after years of clean roadworthiness. Across the 2023, 2024, and early 2025 tests the vehicle passed with no advisories or defects recorded, suggesting it had been maintaining its roadworthy condition well into its mid-teens. However, two consecutive failures in March and April 2026, both documented with no defects recorded against the test entry, point to one of two scenarios. Either the failures were for administrative reasons such as missing or invalid documentation, or the vehicle was presented in an unroadworthy condition that the tester declined to itemise in the standard fields. Either way, a sixteen year old commercial vehicle that has failed its MOT twice in quick succession warrants particularly close physical scrutiny before purchase, as the underlying reason for the refusals is not visible in the public record. With 106,494 miles recorded over sixteen years, this Transit has averaged roughly 6,656 miles per year, which is a typical accumulation rate for a working van of its age and not suggestive of long periods of standing or unusually heavy use. The annual mileage figure sits comfortably within the expected band for a light commercial vehicle, meaning wear on the drivetrain, clutch, brakes, and suspension should be proportionate rather than accelerated. There are no large unexplained mileage jumps between tests, nor any obvious gaps in the testing history that would suggest the vehicle was off the road for an extended period. Mechanically, this means consumables such as tyres, brake pads, discs, and fluid services will have been replaced on a fairly normal schedule, and there should be no concerns about dried-out seals, seized calipers, or perished rubber components arising from disuse. Given that the most recent test entries list no component-specific advisories, the standard age-related wear points for a Transit of this vintage must take priority during any inspection. Pay particular attention to the front suspension, specifically the wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and ball joints, as these are known weak points on the Transit platform and typically exhibit themselves as clonks or knocking over speed humps and uneven road surfaces. On the test drive, listen for any clonking from the front end under load, check for uneven tyre wear which would point to worn bushes or alignment issues, and feel for wandering or vagueness in the steering that may indicate worn track rod ends or top mount bearings. The rear suspension, braking system, and underbody corrosion are equally important areas to evaluate on a vehicle of this age and likely working history. Transits of this generation are prone to rear leaf spring fatigue, so listen for any rear-end crashing over bumps and check for the vehicle sitting unevenly at the rear. Inspect the brake pipes, fuel lines, and underfloor metalwork closely for surface corrosion or signs of welding repairs, as corrosion-related failures are a common reason older Transits fail MOT. During the road test, verify that the brake pedal feels firm without excessive travel or judder under braking, and confirm the clutch operates smoothly without slipping or dragging. Finally, request that the seller explains the two recent MOT failures in detail and provides evidence of any rectification work carried out, as the absence of recorded defects makes this an essential due diligence step before committing to purchase.