2012 Ford Transit 2.4L Diesel · SA12 ABK

The 2012 Ford Transit passed its most recent MOT on 18 February 2025 at 142,635 miles with several advisories but no failures, indicating a currently roadworthy condition with a maintenance trend that is broadly stable though not without wear. The tester flagged inoperative registration plate lamps, slight play in multiple anti-roll bar linkage ball joints, a worn near-side rear anti-roll bar bush, pitted front brake discs, and a slightly deteriorated front prop shaft flexible coupling. These are consumable and suspension wear items consistent with a 14-year-old commercial vehicle rather than acute structural failure. Recorded mileage rose from 119,361 at the May 2020 tests to 129,529 by November 2023, then to 142,635 by February 2025. That equates to roughly 10,200 miles per year across the vehicle's life, a typical usage rate for a Transit of this age. The record shows a sparse but eventful history: a three-year gap between 2020 and 2023, then a concentrated period in late 2023 where the van failed on 16 November at 129,525 miles before passing five days later at 129,529 miles after rectification. The November 2023 failure exposed serious braking neglect. The tester recorded leaking near-side front brake pipe, rear discs worn and pitted, thin rear pads, failed parking brake efficiency, and an inoperative washer. A previous owner skipped basic hydraulic and friction-component upkeep. The May 2020 failure also showed an insecure leaf spring to axle bolt, excessive track rod end play, and lamp faults. Buyers should physically inspect brake pipe integrity, rear leaf spring fixings, track rod ends, and the front lower arm ball joint dust covers for tears. In person, verify the front prop shaft coupling for cracking, measure front disc thickness, and confirm anti-roll bar ball joints are not advancing to failure. The recurring ball joint and bush advisories suggest steady suspension degradation rather than sudden defect.