2016 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · MF66 PXT

With 127,231 miles recorded across nine to ten years of operation and a 2022 PASS issued on 7 September 2022 with no advisories, this Transit presents a mixed mechanical picture. The most recent test was clean, but the deeper record shows the vehicle has not been trouble-free. A 2020 PASS was also advisory-free, yet the intervening 2021 cycle saw a FAIL on 2021-10-20 and a follow-up PASS just seven days later on 2021-10-27 carrying five advisories, while a 2019 FAIL on the rear fog lamp lens preceded a PASS the next day with a deteriorated front plate advisory. The recurring rear fog lamp defect across two separate failures is a clear pattern and the 2021 dangerous failure on the rear brake pads, paired with a front pad advisory and a corroded offside rear brake pipe, indicates brake components have been a live concern rather than an isolated incident. Annual mileage equates to roughly 12,700 miles per year, which sits at the upper end for a commercial van of this age and confirms a working, high‑utilisation history rather than periods of light use or standing. The gaps between tests 2019-08-27/28 and 2020-09-18, and again 2021-10-20/27 and 2022-09-07, are short and consistent with annual MOT scheduling, so there is no evidence of long lay-ups that lead to seized calipers or deteriorated rubber. High annual mileage of this magnitude accelerates wear on consumables including brake discs and pads, suspension bushes, coil springs, wishbones, anti-roll bar links, wheel bearings and clutch or dual-mass flywheel components on the manual variants. Diesel Transit vans covering this sort of distance also commonly develop oil leaks from the sump, cam cover, injector seals and turbo feed/return lines, and the EGR valve and DPF can become restricted with frequent short-cycle use. A prospective buyer should focus the inspection on the brake system flagged in 2021, as a dangerous rear pad reading means the discs were very likely close to or past their wear limit at the time and may have been replaced or skimmed. Check the offside rear brake pipe closely for surface corrosion or active seepage, particularly where it runs along the chassis rail and across suspension movement points, and inspect all visible underbody brake pipes for similar corrosion or rust pitting. On the road, expect sharp pedal response with no sponginess or excessive travel, and listen for any metallic scraping or grinding from the rear. With both front tyres having been flagged as worn close to the legal limit and on the edge in 2021, the front suspension geometry should be tested by feel; any pulling to one side under braking, wandering on the motorway, uneven steering wheel wear on the fronts, or clonking over bumps would point to worn wishbone bushes, track rod ends, drop links or top mounts. Given the rear brake pipe advisory, also listen for any ABS or traction control warning lamps on the dashboard and verify they extinguish promptly on start-up. The 2021 exhaust leak advisory means the system should be inspected end to end for soot traces around joints, a blowing DPF or back-box, and any signs of blue or white smoke from cold or under load. Confirm both rear fog lamps illuminate correctly and that the lenses are not cracked, moisture-filled or delaminating, as this same defect caused failures in both 2019 and 2021. Inspect the windscreen washer system for adequate fluid delivery across the full sweep and confirm washer jets are not blocked, since an insufficient supply was a major failure on the 2021 test. Finally, given the heavy commercial use implied by 127,231 miles, the engine oil and filter should be recently changed, the coolant should be at the correct concentration to prevent cavitation in the cooling system, and the timing belt or chain service interval should be evidenced with paperwork for the particular engine fitted, as these items sit beyond MOT scope but become the limiting factor on high-mileage Transits.