2021 Ford Transit 350 Leader Ecoblue 2.0L Heavy oil · SP71 JRX

A pattern of electronic and emissions-related malfunctions sits at the heart of this Transit's MOT record, with the engine management warning lamp, electronic stability control warning, and various exterior lighting faults dominating the early 2025 tests before a clean pass was recorded on 29 November 2025. The vehicle failed on 7 February 2025 with four major defects, principally an illuminated engine MIL (8.2.2.2 (g)) and an active ESC fault (7.12 (e)), and then failed again on 20 February 2025 on the same MIL issue. The fact that a subsequent test on the same day passed once the warning lamp situation had apparently been resolved suggests an intermittent electronic or sensor fault rather than a fundamental mechanical failure, but the clustering of these defects within a two-week window means the underlying cause was not fully eradicated at the time. The 29 November 2025 pass is therefore a positive development, but it is only one clean test against a backdrop of multiple major electronic faults recorded earlier in the year. With 92,035 miles recorded across roughly five years, the annual accumulation works out at around 18,400 miles per year, which is notably high for a vehicle of this age and consistent with commercial or fleet-style operation rather than light private use. Four MOT tests are recorded between 2025 and 2026, but the testing dates (February 2025 twice, then November 2025) indicate a period of intensive short-interval testing rather than steady annual checks, which often reflects a vehicle being brought back into service after an issue rather than a continuous rolling programme. From a mechanical standpoint, this mileage and intensity of use places meaningful demand on braking components, suspension bushes, the clutch and dual-mass flywheel if fitted, drivetrain mounts, and turbocharger seals, and the rear brake disc advisories already observed are an early indication that the friction material and disc wear rates are tracking with this usage level. For a prospective buyer, the priority items to investigate are the engine management and stability control systems, since the repeated MIL illumination is the most significant recorded defect. A live diagnostic scan for stored fault codes, particularly relating to the diesel particulate filter, EGR valve, turbo boost pressure sensor, or ABS/ESC wheel speed sensors, would be highly advisable before purchase, and any hesitation, uneven idle, or glow of the MIL during a cold start should be treated as a serious warning sign. The rear brake disc advisories recorded in February 2025 mean the discs should be inspected for lipping, hot spots, and judder under braking, and the handbrake holding force on an incline should be checked given that pitted rear discs on a heavy van often correlate with caliper slide pin sticking or piston seizure. On a test drive, listen for clonks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven tarmac, particularly from the anti-roll bar bushes and track rod ends which are common wear items at this mileage, and check for any pulling to one side under braking, uneven tyre wear across the front axle, or excessive play in the steering. The cluster of lighting defects recorded in early 2025, including the offside outline marker lamp, offside rear upper position lamp, and registration plate lamp, is worth raising separately because exterior wiring faults on a commercial platform van frequently point to chafed looms in the engine bay, water ingress into rear light clusters, or earth strap corrosion. Inspect the rear light housings for condensation, the connector plugs for green corrosion, and the condition of the underbonnet loom where it passes over the radiator support panel. Given the high annual mileage and the recent electronic fault history, a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a commercial vehicle specialist, ideally including a brake roller test and an underbody examination for corrosion on the leaf spring hangers, outriggers, and exhaust mounting points, would be a prudent investment before committing to this Transit.