2020 Ford Transit Custom 300LEADER Eblue 2.0L Diesel · LB70 CPX

This Ford Transit Custom 300LEADER EBLUE presents an unusual MOT history in that it carries an absolutely clean advisory record across every test, yet has been submitted for retest twice within a three-day window on two separate occasions, in November 2023 and again in November 2024. A failed MOT immediately followed by a pass three days later, with no advisories recorded on either the failure or the subsequent pass, strongly suggests items such as a malfunctioning lamp bulb, an obscured or missing registration plate, a minor emissions exceedance on the first attempt, or a tyre just under the legal tread threshold that was replaced before the retest. Because DVSA does not record defect details for failed tests where the retest is conducted at a different location, the specific reasons remain unrecorded, but the pattern points to easily rectified, non-structural issues rather than any progressive mechanical deterioration. The most recent test on 26 November 2025 passed without recording a single advisory, confirming a stable and tidy roadworthiness position heading into late 2025. With 47,580 miles accumulated over roughly six years, the vehicle is averaging close to 7,900 miles annually, which sits squarely within the typical commercial-van usage band for this model and age. There are no multi-year gaps between tests that would imply extended periods off the road, and the consistent year-on-year submission of the vehicle for MOT suggests it has been in regular service throughout its life. For a diesel Transit Custom of this vintage, this rate of use tends to be mechanically favourable: the engine, turbo, dual-mass flywheel, EGR system, and DPF have all been kept at working temperature frequently enough to discourage the cold-soak condensation, oil dilution, and DPF regeneration issues that commonly plague lightly used examples. Brakes, tyres, clutch, and drivetrain wear should therefore be broadly proportional to mileage rather than disproportionately advanced. For a prospective buyer, the absence of recorded advisories across five tests means the MOT file alone does not flag any specific component for prioritised inspection. However, the two unrecorded failures warrant a brief conversation with the seller to understand what items were addressed, particularly any work involving emissions, lighting, or tyres, as these are the most common reasons for first-time failures on commercial vans. On a physical inspection and test drive, particular attention should be paid to the brake discs and pads, as the 2.0 EcoBlue Transit Custom is known for front disc wear that can develop between MOT cycles; check for lipping on the disc edges and listen for any scraping or grinding on a light application of the brakes at low speed. The suspension should be exercised over uneven surfaces with the windows down to detect any clonks or squeaks from the front wishbones, anti-roll bar bushes, or rear leaf-spring shackles, all of which are common wear items on this platform irrespective of MOT outcome. The turbocharger, intercooler piping, and intake system should be inspected for oil misting or residue, and the exhaust undertray examined for any signs of blue smoke on a cold start, which would indicate turbo seal or piston-ring wear. Given that the vehicle has covered a fair amount of mileage for its age, the timing belt or, depending on service regime, the wet timing chain on the 2.0 EcoBlue should be confirmed as having been replaced according to Ford's schedule, as failure of this component is catastrophic. Steering play, wheel bearing rumble when cornering, and the condition of the propshaft centre bearing on any rear-drive variants should also be evaluated. Finally, the load floor, rear bumper, and sliding door mechanism are worth close scrutiny on a working van of this age, as these areas commonly suffer wear and damage that fall outside the MOT scope but directly affect usability.