2009 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · LC58 TYP

A pattern of chronic corrosion and suspension wear is the defining mechanical story of this 2009 Ford Transit. Across the seven recorded MOT tests, coil spring corrosion has appeared as an advisory four times (2020, 2021 twice, and 2022), with the 2022 test also recording corroded brake pipes across the entire system and a fractured nearside rear leaf spring that resulted in an immediate failure. By the most recent assessment on 4 August 2023, the vehicle passed, but advisories still noted front brake disc pitting and scoring, both nearside and offside front lower suspension arm pins or bushes wearing, and continuing under-body surface rust, suggesting the corrosion and wear trends had not been fully resolved. The 2019 test introduced separate major defects, including a leaking power steering pump and parking brake efficiency below requirements, which underlines that fundamental mechanical faults have surfaced intermittently throughout the recorded history rather than being isolated incidents. Recorded mileage stands at 94,118 miles across approximately seventeen years, equating to an annual accumulation of roughly 5,500 miles, which is notably low for a commercial vehicle of this type and age. A gap of nearly three and a half years exists between the 2023 test and the previous 2022 entry, and the cluster of testing activity around 2019 to 2022 suggests irregular operation rather than consistent commercial use. Lower annual mileage in a Transit of this age can leave standing weaknesses unaddressed, and the repeated advisories for corroded brake pipes, coil springs, sills, and underbody components indicate that the vehicle has likely spent considerable time exposed to moisture, road salt, or static outdoor storage, allowing oxidation to progress on unprotected steel. A physical evaluation should focus on the rear leaf spring assembly, given the recorded fracture in 2022, listening and feeling for any sagging, cracking noises, or uneven ride height over bumps, and visually inspecting for signs of repair, supplementary leaves, or localised overpainting that might disguise further cracking. The front suspension requires close attention because lower arm pins or bushes have been flagged at both sides in consecutive years; on a test drive, expect to detect clonking, wandering steering, or imprecise turn-in over uneven surfaces, particularly under load. Given the recurring brake pipe advisories covering the entire system, the brake pedal should be checked for sponginess or excessive travel, and the underside visually inspected for surface rust versus flaking, perforated, or structural corrosion, particularly along the sills and underbody sections repeatedly called out from 2021 onwards. The power steering pump advisory from 2019 should also prompt a check for fluid seepage around the pump housing and reservoir, and any whining or stiff steering at low speed during a cold start. Finally, the front oil leak advisory noted in 2022, combined with the wheel bearing play recorded at the offside front in 2020 and a damaged nearside front wheel in 2021, warrants a targeted check for tyre wear irregularities, uneven shoulder wear, and any humming or droning that changes with cornering. Under-bonnet inspection should verify fluid levels, particularly brake fluid given the reservoir close-to-minimum advisory in 2021, and confirm the registration plate lamps and central stop lamp function correctly, as lighting defects have appeared as either minor items or major failures across nearly every test. Given the cumulative pattern of advisories and the age of the vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection by a competent commercial vehicle technician with the vehicle raised on a ramp would be strongly advisable before committing to purchase.