2020 Ford Transit Connect 1.5L Diesel · OV70 EJK

Rear brake pads wearing thin is the recurring theme in this Transit Connect's record, flagged as an advisory at the 2023 test and again at the most recent examination on 4 September 2026, which the van passed with that advisory plus a minor defect for front windscreen damage not adversely affecting the driver's view. Between those two brake advisories the van recorded two completely clean passes in October 2024 and October 2025, so the overall trend is one of consistent roadworthiness with no failures across four recorded tests. The reappearance of the rear pad advisory after two clear years suggests the pads were likely replaced after 2023 and have since worn down again, which is consistent with the vehicle's heavy usage rather than any underlying fault, though a buyer should confirm whether the pads flagged in September 2026 have now been changed. The usage profile is demanding: 129,504 miles in roughly six years equates to around 21,500 miles annually, well above the UK average and typical of a working van used for deliveries or trade duties. Tests have been conducted at regular twelve-month intervals with no gaps, so the mileage has accumulated steadily rather than in bursts. This kind of sustained high-mileage use accelerates wear on consumables and load-bearing components, so brake discs, suspension bushes, coil springs, wheel bearings and driveline parts such as the clutch and dual-mass flywheel will all have seen substantial service by this point, even though none have yet been flagged in the test record. On a test drive, the priority is the braking system given the repeated rear pad advisories. Listen for any grinding or scraping from the rear axle under braking, which would indicate pads worn to the backing plates and possible disc damage, and feel for judder or pulsing through the pedal that would suggest warped or heavily worn discs. Check that the van pulls up straight without veering, which could point to a binding caliper, and inspect the rear discs visually for deep scoring or pronounced wear lips. Beyond the brakes, the windscreen damage noted in 2026 should be examined to confirm it remains outside the driver's line of sight and has not spread into a crack requiring replacement. Given the mileage, work the van over uneven surfaces listening for knocks or clonks from tired suspension bushes or drop links, check for any whining or rumbling from wheel bearings at speed, and assess the clutch for a high biting point or slip under load. A van with this annual mileage deserves close scrutiny of these wear items even where the MOT record itself shows no failures.