2017 Ford Transit 2.0L Diesel · ST67 EXP

A clear pattern of brake, underbody, and drivetrain corrosion plus front suspension wear emerges across the MOT history of this high-mileage 2017 Ford Transit, with two retest-required failures and a string of advisories that point to an aging commercial vehicle. The most recent outcome on 2026-02-02 was a pass, but only after a failure three days earlier on 2026-01-30, when the vehicle was turned away for a non-functioning offside rear fog lamp, a nearside headlamp aimed too high, a leaking exhaust flexi joint, and split CV boots on both front drive shafts. The 2024-01-30 test was more serious, recording dangerous rear brake pad wear, a significantly worn nearside rear brake disc, an excessively corroded offside front brake pipe on the bulkhead, a damaged offside windscreen, and a failed nearside position lamp. Both of those failures were followed by retest passes, but the recurrence of brake pipe corrosion, split CV gaiters, and worn brake components across separate years shows that wear items are being addressed reactively rather than prevented, leaving a buyer to weigh up which of these advisories will become the next major defect. Covering 234,761 miles over nine years equates to roughly 26,000 miles per year, which is consistent with sustained commercial or fleet use and well above the average for a vehicle of this age. The mileage recorded at each MOT shows steady accumulation between tests rather than extended periods off the road, with the largest gaps being the year between the 2022-10-27 pass and the 2024-01-30 test, and another full year before the 2026-01-30 test, suggesting the van may have stood for stretches but otherwise worked consistently hard. This level of annual mileage accelerates wear on clutches, dual-mass flywheels, turbochargers, injector components, suspension bushes, wheel bearings, and brake systems, and it also makes underfloor corrosion more likely because commercial Transits often accumulate road salt, grit, and water exposure through daily service work. Even when no defects are recorded on a pass, the mileage itself means many service items will be closer to replacement than equivalent lower-mileage examples. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the components that have repeatedly appeared across tests, beginning with the brake system where the 2026 advisory noted an offside rear pipe covered in grease, a common cosmetic concealment of underlying corrosion on Transit bulkhead and underfloor lines. On a test drive, expect to feel any soft or low brake pedal, sponginess after the first firm application, or pulling to one side under braking, and inspect the rear disc for a raised lip on the edge and check pad material through the caliper window. The front suspension advisories from 2024 flagged slight play in both lower arm ball joints, and the 2022 failure recorded an excessively worn nearside front arm rear bush, so listen for clonks or knocks over speed humps and uneven surfaces, watch for vague or wandering steering, and check for uneven front tyre wear that would confirm geometry drift. The drive shaft and gaiter issues warrant close inspection as well, since both inner and outer CV boots have split on separate occasions and a torn boot that has been ignored allows water and grit into the joint, leading to rapid failure. With the vehicle jacked, look for fresh grease around the boots, listen for clicking or knocking on full-lock turns, and feel for vibration through the steering wheel under load. Underneath, examine the front-to-rear brake pipes, the bulkhead pipework, the fuel and clutch lines, and the subframe mounting points for any bubbling or flaking corrosion beyond surface rust, and run the engine from cold to listen for timing chain rattle, which is a known wear item on high-mileage Transits. Finally, check the exhaust flexi joint area noted in 2026 for any ticking under acceleration or soot deposits around the joint, and ensure the headlamp alignment is correct and the rear fog lamp operates, as both were failed items that are simple but often overlooked.