2010 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · ST10 EUD

Corrosion is the defining mechanical story of this 2010 Ford Transit, and the trajectory is worsening rather than stable. The April 2023 test exposed serious structural rust: the offside inner sill was corroded to the point where rigidity of the body structure was significantly reduced, and an offside rear suspension mounting area was excessively corroded, both recorded as Major failures alongside a leaking offside rear shock absorber. Although the van passed in 2024 only after failing on excessive turbo-diesel smoke, and passed cleanly in 2025, the April 2026 test brought a fresh cluster of corrosion advisories covering the underbody, inner and outer sills, chassis and subframes, plus both front coil springs corroded and both front brake discs worn, pitted or scored. The van passed that most recent test, but the advisory pattern suggests the 2023 structural repairs addressed the immediate failure points while corrosion elsewhere on the vehicle continues to advance. Recorded mileage stands at 126,448 miles over roughly sixteen years, an average of about 7,900 miles per year, which is unremarkable for a working van of this age. The annual April test cadence is consistent with no significant gaps in the record, and there is no evidence of prolonged lay-up or sudden mileage spikes. This moderate, steady use means the corrosion recorded cannot be attributed to the vehicle standing idle; it reflects age-related deterioration of the body structure and underside typical of a high-mileage commercial vehicle exposed to UK roads. The 2024 smoke failure, since rectified, points to combustion or fuelling wear consistent with a diesel engine of this age and mileage rather than neglect visible elsewhere in the record. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough structural inspection before any test drive. Given the 2023 failures on the offside sill and rear suspension mounting area, examine the quality of any welded repairs in those zones and probe the sills, inner arches, subframes and chassis rails for fresh corrosion, since the 2026 advisories confirm rust remains active across the underbody. Both front coil springs were flagged as corroded; a corroded spring can fracture without warning, so inspect them closely for deep pitting or cracking, and listen on the test drive for any knocking or snapping noises over bumps or when turning at low speed. The rear shock absorbers have history too, with one serious leak and casing damage recorded in 2023, so check for bouncing or wallowing over undulations and any oil residue on the damper bodies. On the road, the worn, pitted front brake discs warrant attention: feel for judder or pulsing through the pedal and steering wheel under moderate braking, and listen for grinding or scraping from the front axle. The 2023 engine oil leak advisory, though not repeated since, justifies a look beneath the engine bay and under the van after it has been standing, checking for drips around the sump and turbo feed lines. Finally, given the 2024 smoke failure, observe the exhaust on a cold start and under hard acceleration for any blue or black haze, which would suggest the underlying wear that caused the excess smoke has not been fully resolved. Overall this is a usable but ageing commercial vehicle whose purchase price should reflect the ongoing corrosion burden and the likelihood of further welding and suspension expenditure in the near term.