2004 Ford Transit 2.4L Diesel · NK54 KDN

The most recent DVSA examination on 8 December 2025 produced an initial failure that was subsequently cleared on the same day for a pass, but the brake-related advisories attached to that result carry significant mechanical weight and should not be overlooked. The fact that both front service brakes are recorded as fluctuating, that overall service brake efficiency was only just met at 53 percent, and that parking brake efficiency was only just met at 18 percent indicates a braking system that is operating at the lower threshold of legal acceptability. This represents a worsening trend when read against previous advisories, as similar brake efficiency concerns have appeared repeatedly since 2020. The additional advisory concerning a nearside rear inner tyre worn close to the legal limit further reinforces the impression of a vehicle whose consumable items are being maintained reactively rather than proactively, and a prospective buyer should treat the braking system as the foremost priority for immediate inspection and likely expenditure. With 212,118 miles accumulated over approximately 22 years, the vehicle is averaging roughly 9,600 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a working van of this age and certainly not a low-mileage example. The MOT cadence suggests fairly continuous use with tests clustered annually around December and February, indicating the vehicle has remained in active service rather than standing for extended periods. However, the high accumulated mileage places considerable wear expectation on major mechanical assemblies including the engine, clutch, gearbox, turbocharger if fitted, prop shaft, rear axle and suspension components, all of which should be evaluated in context rather than dismissed as merely advisory. The combination of high mileage and a 22-year build date also means that age-related degradation such as corrosion of structural panels, brake and fuel lines, and subframe elements will compound the wear from use. The recurring front suspension advisories are a serious concern and warrant close physical inspection. In December 2024, the vehicle failed on major defects relating to an excessively worn offside front lower suspension arm pin or bush, an excessively worn offside front lower suspension ball joint, and a nearside front ball joint dust cover that had failed to prevent ingress of dirt. Earlier advisories in 2022 and 2021 noted worn front suspension arm pins and bushes not yet at failure level, indicating a clear pattern of progressive wear on the front suspension linkage. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over uneven surfaces, particularly speed humps and potholes, and pay attention to any vagueness or wandering from the steering, uneven front tyre wear across the tread width, or vibration through the steering wheel. The 2020 advisory for slight play in a track rod end ball joint also points to the steering linkage requiring thorough inspection, as worn track rod ends can produce imprecise steering and irregular tyre wear. Beyond the suspension, the advisories around brake components and corrosion merit careful attention. The recurring notes on brake disc wear, pitting and scoring at both front wheels since 2020 suggest the discs have been on the vehicle for some while and are likely to require replacement imminently, especially given the fluctuating brake efficiency recorded in 2025. Brake pipes have been repeatedly noted as corroded or covered in grease since 2020, and brake pipe replacement on a vehicle of this age can be invasive where corrosion has set into underbody lines. The 2022 advisories concerning corrosion of the front, rear and general vehicle integral body structure should be inspected for any progression, particularly around load-bearing areas, jacking points, suspension mounting locations and the seat belt anchorage zones flagged in 2021. Additional items to verify physically include the oil leak noted in both 2020 and 2021, the prop shaft bearing play recorded in 2021, the battery warning lamp advisory from 2023 which may indicate alternator or charging system concerns, and confirmation that all fluid services including brake fluid, coolant and gearbox oil have been carried out in line with calendar intervals rather than purely by mileage. Tyre condition should be examined for age-related sidewall perishing given the vehicle's 22-year build date, and the 12V battery should be load-tested as a matter of course, since a van of this age and standing idle for any period will almost certainly have suffered battery degradation that does not appear on the MOT record.