2016 Ford Transit Connect 1.5L Diesel · RE14 WRE

The 2016 Ford Transit Connect presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 26 August 2025 at 112,007 miles, passed but flagged multiple advisories that suggest deferred attention rather than outright neglect. Both front and rear brake discs were recorded as worn, pitted, or scored, though not seriously weakened. The front subframe was noted as corroded but not seriously weakened, and an engine oil leak was present, albeit not excessive. The exhaust system was also flagged as corroded. These are not failures, but they indicate the vehicle is entering a phase where age-related deterioration is accumulating faster than it is being corrected. The mileage progression is broadly consistent with typical commercial use. Between the 2022 test at 90,014 miles and the 2024 test at 104,994 miles, the vehicle covered roughly 15,000 miles in two years, a step up from the earlier average. By August 2025, the odometer read 112,007 miles, representing just over 7,000 miles in the following twelve months. This could indicate lighter recent use or a period of reduced activity. The 2024 test itself tells a story of poor preparation: the vehicle failed on 27 August 2024 due to worn front and rear brake pads and both rear tyres being close to the legal limit, then passed two days later at the same mileage, suggesting the owner addressed only the minimum to get through rather than undertaking thorough preventative maintenance. A buyer should focus their in-person inspection on three areas. First, the braking system needs close scrutiny. The recurring pattern of worn pads in 2024 followed by scored and pitted discs in 2025 points to hard use and delayed servicing. Have the discs measured for minimum thickness and check for uneven wear or heat damage. Second, the front subframe corrosion noted in the 2025 test warrants a thorough underside inspection. Surface corrosion on a subframe is common in commercial vans, but the boundary between cosmetic and structural is best confirmed with a torch and a probe, particularly around mounting points and welded joints. Third, the engine oil leak and corroded exhaust system should be traced to their source. A minor seep can become a major leak, and a corroded exhaust on a diesel or petrol van of this age often signals pinholing or joint failure that will require replacement rather than patching. The steering rack gaiters flagged in 2023 appear to have been addressed, but confirm both are intact and free from splits, as a failed gaiter will contaminate the rack and lead to expensive steering repairs.