2017 Ford Transit 2.0L Diesel · LD67 MZP

The defining mechanical story for this 2017 Ford Transit is its recent pattern of failing initial MOT presentations before securing a pass, suggesting intermittent but repairable issues rather than structural decline. On 15 January 2026 the vehicle ultimately passed without recorded advisories, which mirrors the earlier sequence from December 2024 where an initial failure on the 5th was followed by a pass on the 10th. While the absence of recorded defects on the pass certificates is encouraging, it is worth noting that minor categories of failure and advisory items can sometimes be resolved by the owner immediately prior to retest and consequently not appear on the final pass document. The November 2025 failure that preceded the January 2026 pass shows that this Transit has not been entirely trouble-free in the latter half of its life, and a prospective buyer should be alert to the possibility of underlying wear that required rectification. With 117,758 miles accumulated over nine years, this Transit has averaged roughly 13,084 miles annually, which is high mileage for a vehicle of this age and points to sustained commercial or heavy-duty use. Such annual accumulation typically accelerates wear on consumables and drivetrain components, particularly the clutch, dual-mass flywheel if fitted, turbocharger, and braking system. The mileage progression between the December 2024 test and the January 2026 test indicates the vehicle covered close to 20,000 miles in roughly thirteen months, confirming an active working profile rather than a dormant or lightly driven van. There are no prolonged gaps in the testing history that would suggest extended periods off the road, so the recorded mileage is likely to be representative of genuine usage. Heavy accumulations of this nature place elevated stress on suspension linkages, engine mounts, and rear axle bearings, all of which are known wear areas on the Transit platform. For a prospective buyer inspecting this vehicle, particular attention should be paid to the braking system, as commercial Transits operating at this mileage commonly suffer from binding calipers, warped front discs, and worn rear brake shoes or pads. On a test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding under light braking and feel for pedal judder or excessive travel, which may indicate disc runout or rear drum adjustment issues. The clutch should be tested under load on an incline with the engine warm, watching for slipping, juddering, or any difficulty disengaging, as high-mileage Transits frequently require clutch or dual-mass flywheel replacement. Steering precision should also be evaluated; any knocking or sloppiness through the wheel when traversing broken tarmac could point to worn track rod ends, anti-roll bar drop links, or front strut top mounts, all of which are routine wear items on heavily used examples. Given that two of the recent failures left no recorded defect details on the certificate available to this assessment, it is prudent to physically inspect the vehicle and request the previous advisory or failure documentation from the seller. Look closely under the vehicle for any signs of fluid leakage from the power steering rack, as this is a common Transit failure point, and check the condition of the rear leaf springs for cracks, sagging, or corroded spring eye bushes. The exhaust system, particularly the flexi section and rear silencer, should be inspected for corrosion, as these are prone to deterioration on high-mileage vans exposed to winter road salt. A thorough road test under load, ideally carrying weight similar to its working duty, will reveal far more about the current mechanical condition than the relatively sparse MOT record alone.