2004 Ford Transit Connect 1.8L Diesel · RJ04 YEC

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a pattern of deferred repairs regarding suspension components. While it passed its latest test in January 2026 at 124,794 miles, it failed that same day due to a non-functional stop lamp and persistent mechanical issues. The trend shows a stable state of deteriorating components where the same drive shaft boots and anti-roll bar linkages have remained flagged for three consecutive years, suggesting the owner addresses only the minimum legal requirements rather than performing preventative maintenance. At 22 years old, the recorded mileage of 124,794 represents a low annual average of approximately 5,600 miles. The data shows consistent usage over recent years, with roughly 4,000 to 5,500 miles covered between each inspection from 2023 to 2026. This low mileage often correlates with less wear on drivetrain components, but it also exposes rubber components to age related cracking, which is consistent with the persistent deterioration of the drive shaft CV boots noted across the record. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front drivetrain and front suspension geometry. The repeated failure of all four inner and outer drive shaft boots indicates that grease loss is likely occurring, which leads to premature joint failure if not replaced immediately. Furthermore, the anti-roll bar linkage joints across both the front and rear have shown consistent play since 2024, indicating they require replacement to prevent clunking and unstable handling. Structural attention is also required regarding the offside sill, where the 2024 test identified corrosion on both the inner and outer sections. Given the age of the vehicle, this area should be checked for signs of advanced progression into structural perforation. The corroded offside rear brake pipe noted in 2023 should also be verified to ensure the metal thickness has not compromised the integrity of the hydraulic lines.