2008 Ford Transit 2.4L Diesel · LR08 VKC

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2008 Ford Transit was conducted on 4 April 2025, where the vehicle achieved a Pass, albeit with four advisories being recorded against it. The same date also shows a prior Fail entry on the same inspection occasion, with a single repairable defect (PRS) for a non-functioning offside rear stop lamp; this was evidently rectified at the same visit to allow the Pass outcome to be issued. Across the documented MOT history from 2019 to 2025, the vehicle has consistently passed its annual roadworthiness test, but the advisories have escalated in both number and severity. Where the 2019 test returned a clean sheet with no advisories, the 2025 pass carries warnings relating to corroded brake pipes, an oil leak, and noticeable underbody corrosion. This pattern suggests a vehicle that is still fundamentally serviceable but is progressively accumulating age-related wear, and a prospective buyer should treat the most recent advisories as active maintenance items rather than minor notes. The recorded mileage of 221,808 miles across approximately 18 years equates to an average of around 12,300 miles per year, which is a notably high annual usage figure and consistent with a working commercial vehicle such as a Transit. The MOT history shows tests in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025, with no obvious long gaps in testing that would indicate significant periods off the road. The mileage progression between tests appears steady, reflecting continuous operational use rather than sporadic or hobbyist driving. Such sustained high mileage places considerable accumulated stress on the engine, transmission, clutch, suspension and braking components, and combined with the vehicle’s age, buyers should anticipate that some major driveline or undercarriage refurbishment may have already taken place or could soon be required. The recurring advisories for front and rear brake pipe corrosion, present in every MOT since 2020, are particularly significant for a buyer. This indicates progressive surface corrosion of the rigid and flexible brake lines, which on a commercial vehicle exposed to road salt, moisture and load can ultimately lead to perforation, fluid loss and brake failure. The advisories are described as covered in grease or other material, which can mask the true extent of corrosion, so a physical inspection on a ramp is essential to assess remaining pipe wall thickness. Symptoms to listen and look for on a test drive include a spongy brake pedal, any visible brake fluid leakage along the underside, uneven braking effort, or warning signs of hydraulic weakness under load. The most recent 2025 advisories also note an oil leak, deemed not excessive, and structural underbody corrosion where rigidity is not yet significantly reduced. An oil leak from an engine of this mileage and age could originate from sump gasket, cam cover, crankshaft seals or turbo return lines, and although currently minor, it warrants monitoring fluid levels and inspecting the underside for fresh drips or staining on the driveway after standing. Beyond the recorded defects, the combination of high mileage and eighteen years of service means a prospective buyer should conduct several practical age- and usage-appropriate checks regardless of what the MOT record alone shows. The brake discs and pads, while not recently flagged for wear, should be inspected for lipping, surface corrosion from standing, and binding calipers, particularly given the Transit’s known tendency for seized slider mechanisms that cause uneven pad wear and pulling under braking. Suspension components such as coil springs, wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar links and rear leaf spring bushes should be examined for cracking, sagging or movement, as these are common wear points on high-mileage Transits and would manifest as knocking, poor cornering or uneven tyre wear. The tyres themselves warrant scrutiny for both tread depth and sidewall perishing, as age-related cracking can occur well before tread wear limits are reached. Additionally, the 12V battery, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid and transmission oil should be considered for replacement on a calendar basis rather than purely mileage, given the vehicle’s age, and the service history should be verified through stamps or invoices to confirm regular timing belt, water pump and clutch attention. Given the brake pipe corrosion advisories, a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with Transits, ideally on a ramp, is strongly recommended before committing to purchase.