2009 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · LM59 USJ

The vehicle holds a current MOT certificate issued 27 July 2026 at 246,443 miles, but the record reveals a deeply concerning structural trajectory. The tester passed the van only after a same-day failure that recorded excessive corrosion seriously affecting strength on both rear chassis mounting points within the prescribed area, a classification that signals the load-bearing structure is compromised. An offside front brake pipe is excessively corroded, the parking brake remains inoperative on the nearside, and the offside front wheel bearing shows play. These are not isolated wear items; they represent active safety-critical degradation that has escalated sharply since the previous test. Annual mileage has averaged roughly 14,500 miles over seventeen years, consistent with hard commercial use. The jump from 229,140 miles in July 2024 to 238,821 miles a year later confirms the vehicle remained in heavy service, accumulating nearly 10,000 miles in twelve months before the most recent 7,600-mile interval to July 2026. No prolonged lay-ups are evident; the odometer climbs steadily, meaning every suspension bush, brake component and structural panel has endured continuous cyclic loading without significant rest periods. Corrosion has migrated from surface advisories on wings and inner structures in 2023 and 2024 to the current "seriously affecting strength" verdict on both rear chassis legs. Suspension history shows a persistent pattern: lower arm rear bushes were separating in 2019, ball joint dust covers deteriorated by 2024, and an anti-roll bar link plus track rod end play appeared in the June 2025 failure. Brake discs have been pitted or scored since at least 2020, rear pads were thin in 2025, and the parking brake mechanism has required adjustment or repair at three consecutive tests. The brake pipe corrosion noted in 2025 as "covered in grease" has progressed to an excessive corrosion failure on the offside front line. A buyer must treat the rear subframe and chassis mounting zones as the primary inspection target; probe the inner faces of both rear legs and the surrounding floor pan for perforation hidden by underseal. Verify the offside front brake pipe replacement and confirm the parking brake actuator operates the nearside caliper fully. Check the offside front wheel bearing for roughness and the lower ball joints for vertical play. Given the structural classification, any purchase hinges on a ramp inspection with a hammer and scraper to quantify remaining metal thickness — cosmetic repairs will not satisfy the MOT standard once the certificate expires.