2017 Ford Transit Connect 1.5L Diesel · SC13 LAS

The 2017 Ford Transit Connect presents a broadly stable mechanical picture, though the 2025-07-01 pass at 126,313 miles carried an advisory for an offside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit and worn on its edge. That advisory suggests uneven wear rather than a sudden failure, and the vehicle has otherwise passed its last two tests cleanly after a minor rear lamp defect was rectified on the same day in July 2024. The maintenance trend is broadly stable, with no recurring structural or safety-critical failures in the most recent entries. Mileage accumulation tells a clear story of sustained commercial or fleet use. Between 2022-05-09 at 93,681 miles and 2023-05-11 at 95,618 miles, the vehicle added just 1,937 miles in twelve months, yet by 2024-07-04 it had reached 116,310 miles, a jump of 20,692 miles in just over a year. That acceleration continued into 2025, with another 10,000 miles covered in roughly twelve months. The annualised rate of around 14,000 miles is high for a light commercial of this age and points to prolonged motorway or urban delivery work, placing sustained drivetrain, brake, and suspension loads on the vehicle. The 2022-05-09 test at 93,681 miles is the most technically revealing entry. The tester flagged play in the offside steering rack inner joint, which on a high-mileage commercial vehicle indicates wear in a component subject to constant loading. Both front brake discs were noted as worn, pitted, or scored, though not seriously weakened at that point. Given the subsequent mileage increase of over 32,000 miles since that test, a buyer should have the steering rack and inner joints inspected for renewed play, and the front brake discs and pads measured for thickness and lateral run-out. The offside rear tyre advisory in 2025 also warrants checking the rear suspension geometry, as edge wear on a beam-axle van often points to misalignment or worn bushes rather than simple under-inflation. Beyond the flagged items, the high-mileage profile demands a thorough underbody inspection. Examine the subframes, sills, and suspension mounting points for corrosion, particularly around the rear leaf spring hangers and front strut tops common on Transit Connects used in wet or salted conditions. Check the exhaust system for leaks or deterioration, inspect the clutch and gearbox for whine or notchiness under load, and verify that all suspension bushes have not deteriorated beyond serviceability. The clean 2024 and 2025 records suggest the previous keeper addressed immediate fail items promptly, but the underlying wear pattern from sustained high-mileage use means proactive inspection of steering, braking, and structural components remains essential before purchase.