2013 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · S12 HEE

The most recent MOT history for this 2013 Ford Transit reveals a concerning instability in roadworthiness, despite the vehicle’s current pass status. The test on 2025-08-21—just ten days after a failure—indicates the tester found no defects, yet the prior failure on 2025-08-20 suggests a critical oversight was corrected between tests. This pattern repeats from March 2024, where two consecutive failures at the same mileage (187,464) were followed by a pass. Without specific advisory details, it’s impossible to confirm whether the issues were minor (e.g., minor corrosion, worn wiper blades) or mechanical (e.g., suspension failure, brake binding). The lack of defects recorded on passes, however, implies the vehicle was either repaired promptly or the failures were non-structural. That said, the repeated near-failures at identical mileages raise suspicion of deferred maintenance or intermittent faults that evade consistent detection. The recorded mileage of 188,750 miles over 13 years—an average of 14,500 miles annually—is unusually high for a vehicle of this age, particularly given the gaps between tests. Between the 2023 pass at 155,119 miles and the 2024 failure at 187,464 miles, there was a 32,345-mile period with no MOT, suggesting either prolonged off-road use or a lack of regular servicing. The sudden spike in mileage between 2023 and 2024 (32,345 miles in under a year) may indicate aggressive usage, which could accelerate wear on components like coil springs, steering dampers, and drivetrain seals. The consistency of mileage at failure points (187,464 and 188,750) also hints at a potential recurring issue that wasn’t addressed until the last moment, rather than gradual degradation. Given this history, a prospective buyer should prioritise an independent inspection of the suspension system, particularly the rear coil springs and bushes, as these are common failure points in high-mileage vans. The repeated MOT failures suggest the brakes or exhaust emissions system may have been problematic, so binding calipers, worn brake discs, or catalytic converter efficiency should be checked. Structural integrity is another critical area—corrosion around wheel arches, sills, and the subframe can compromise the chassis, especially given the vehicle’s age and mileage. The lack of advisory notes on passes means some issues may have been overlooked, so a thorough examination of fluid levels (brakes, power steering, differential) and drivetrain components (transmission mounts, u-joints) is advisable. The most recent pass does not guarantee reliability; the vehicle’s history indicates it has narrowly avoided serious mechanical failures, but without transparent repair records, the risk of hidden defects remains.