2012 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · SE12 AEC

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile characterized by a worsening trend in structural integrity and mechanical neglect. While it passed its most recent test in August 2025 at 142,476 miles, this followed a failure just day prior due to an excessively deteriorated offside front brake hose and an inability to test brake performance. The tester noted that the floor and suspension components were undersealed to prevent a full inspection, which is a red flag suggesting an attempt to hide advanced corrosion that has been consistently present on the outer wheel arches for several years. The mileage pattern is consistent with a well-used commercial vehicle of this age, averaging approximately 10,000 miles per year. The record shows steady accumulation from 40,334 miles in 2015 to 142,476 miles in 2025. However, the consistency in mileage usage has not translated into proactive maintenance. For instance, the vehicle has repeatedly flagged worn wishbone bushes and anti-roll bar linkage ball joints across nearly the last decade, indicating that components are only addressed once they reach a point of inspection failure rather than on a preventative schedule. A buyer must prioritise a thorough physical inspection of the underbody to determine the extent of the hidden rust. The MOT history shows persistent corrosion on brake pipes, rear floor areas, and leaf spring mountings dating back to 2018 and 2019. The recent play in the steering rack inner joints identified in August 2025 is a significant mechanical concern that affects vehicle handling and safety. Given the previous use of undersealing to obstruct the tester, there is a high risk of structural thinning in the chassis or floor pans that is not fully documented in the official record.