2004 Ford Transit Connect 1.8L Diesel · LC53 LCK

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance history shows a worsening trend regarding structural corrosion and mechanical wear. While the most recent test in January 2025 at 122,083 miles was a pass, it revealed recurring issues that have persisted from previous years. Specifically, the corrosion of the front brake pipes and front coil springs was noted in both 2024 and 2025, indicating that while the faults were identified, the underlying material degradation has not been arrested. At 122,083 miles, this Transit shows low mileage for its twenty-two year age, averaging roughly 5,500 miles per year. However, there is a significant gap in records between November 2022 and January 2024, where the vehicle covered only 13,236 miles. This low usage suggests the vehicle may have sat for long periods, which explains the persistent perishing of rubber components, such as the cracking noted on the nearside rear tyre in in both the 2022 and 2025 tests. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the sills and body mounting points. The vehicle failed in November 2021 due to excessive corrosion on the inner and outer sills, and although the 2024 test noted the corrosion was not yet considered excessive, the presence of structural rust remains a high-risk factor for a vehicle of this age. The recurring oil leak has been a constant since at least 2021, suggesting a long-term seal failure that requires monitoring. The braking and suspension systems also require scrutiny. The tester repeatedly flagged binding rear brakes and corroded brake pipes across multiple test years. Given the history of play in the steering rack inner joints and worn anti-roll bar linkages, the buyer should check for any steering play or knocking coming from the front end. The minor exhaust leak noted in 2024 and 2025 suggests the exhaust system is beginning to fail and will likely require replacement shortly.