2015 Ford Transit Connect 1.6L Diesel · GL15 LMK

A pattern of emissions-related non-compliance stands out as the defining mechanical concern in this Transit Connect's MOT history, with the diesel particulate filter system failing on the manufacturer's specified limits in both 2024 and 2025. On 24 July 2024 the vehicle failed on excessive emissions and visible smoke from the DAP, alongside a nearside rear Tyre recorded as Dangerous due to structural separation. A repeat emissions failure followed on 31 July 2025 before a pass the following day, and the most recent test on 6 August 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories, suggesting the underlying cause may have been rectified, although a single clean test does not confirm a permanent cure. The intervening pass at the 2023 retest and the unbroken sequence of passes at the 2022 and 2023 tests indicate that, outside of the emissions cluster, the vehicle has generally held its roadworthiness, but the recurrence of the same defect category in consecutive years is a clear signal that the diesel after treatment system warrants close scrutiny. With 75,015 miles recorded across eleven years, annual usage averages out at roughly 6,820 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a commercial vehicle of this age and segment. There are no extended gaps in the testing record that would suggest the vehicle was laid up for long periods, and the mileage accumulation appears steady rather than erratic. For a diesel Transit Connect of this vintage and duty cycle, this level of use is sufficient to keep mechanical components in working order without imposing the heavy wear associated with high-mileage commercial operation, but the documented emissions failures indicate that the diesel particulate filter has likely undergone repeated regeneration cycles and may be approaching the point at which professional cleaning or replacement becomes necessary regardless of the recent pass. Prospective buyers should pay particular attention to the diesel after treatment system during any inspection, as the two consecutive emissions failures suggest an underlying issue that may not have been fully resolved. On a test drive, watch for frequent regeneration cycles indicated by elevated idle speeds, a hot exhaust note, or a temporary drop in fuel economy, and note any illumination of the DPF or emissions warning light on the dashboard. Smell the exhaust for a heavy unburnt fuel odour during startup and request evidence of any DPF cleaning, additive use, or component replacement carried out since the 2025 failure, as this will indicate how thoroughly the issue was addressed. The tyre wear pattern flagged across both 2024 and 2025, with inner-edge wear on both front tyres, points to potential geometry misalignment rather than simple tyre ageing, and this should be checked by measuring camber and tracking before new tyres are fitted. On a road test, listen for any pulling to one side under braking or acceleration, feel for vagueness in the steering around the straight-ahead position, and inspect the front suspension arms, bushes, and drop links for any play or perishing, as commercial vehicles of this age commonly develop wear in these areas. The 2024 advisory regarding an offside rear tyre showing cracking and perishing should also prompt a close visual inspection of the sidewalls on all four tyres for age-related degradation, particularly given that older commercial tyres can deteriorate from the inside out.