2010 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · WM59 WLL

The most recent DVSA examination on 10 July 2026 resulted in an initial FAILURE on major items, namely an offside headlamp not functioning on dipped beam and an offside windscreen wiper failing to clear the windscreen effectively, before the vehicle was subsequently presented and recorded as a PASS on the same date once those defects were presumably rectified. Looking at the broader MOT trajectory across 2022 through 2026, the maintenance trend is clearly worsening rather than stable. The advisory count has grown year on year, and the defects themselves have escalated in seriousness, beginning with relatively minor seat belt and suspension observations in 2022 and culminating in significant structural corrosion advisories and major lighting and wiper failures by 2026. A vehicle transitioning from a clean pass to repeated advisories on mounting points, sills, and chassis within 30cm of fixings is showing classic age-related deterioration that will continue to progress if not actively addressed. Recorded mileage stands at 170,830 miles on a 2010 platform, equating to roughly 10,677 miles per annum over a sixteen-year service life. This annual figure is broadly typical for a working van of this type and age, suggesting steady commercial or utility use rather than long periods of standing or unusually heavy motorway accumulation. The MOT records reflect reasonably consistent annual mileage progression, which is mechanically favourable in that it implies regular running, complete warm-up cycles, and less opportunity for the brake disc corrosion, seized calipers, perished rubber, and battery degradation typically associated with low-mileage or stored vehicles. Nonetheless, at this overall odometer reading the engine, clutch, turbo, dual-mass flywheel if fitted, and gearbox internals will all be deep into their serviceable lifespans, and consumables such as timing belt, water pump, injectors, and suspension bushes will have been subjected to sustained load cycles. The advisories on both inner sills and outer sills being corroded and holed, combined with repeated entries relating to chassis corrosion within 30cm of a mounting and suspension component mounting prescribed areas, point to widespread structural and chassis corrosion that is being monitored but not yet deemed severe enough to fail. For a prospective buyer it is essential to recognise that these advisories are progressive; what is acceptable today will likely be a refusal in subsequent years if no remedial welding, strengthening plates, or anti-corrosion intervention is undertaken. On a thorough inspection the underside should be examined on a ramp for perforation beyond the visible outer panels, paying particular attention to the rear chassis rails, spring mounts, trailing arm brackets, jacking points, and around the seat belt anchorages, which were also flagged for corrosion in 2022. Symptomatically, listen for suspension clonks or knocking over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, feel for vagueness or wandering in the steering which could indicate worn bushes or weakened mountings, and check that the sill repairs mentioned in the advisories have not simply been concealed with filler or underseal, which tends to trap moisture and accelerate hidden corrosion. The recurring minor windscreen damage entry appearing at every test suggests an existing stone chip or crack that has been tolerated but should be personally inspected to ensure it has not propagated across the driver’s swept area, as further growth could result in a future failure. The earlier minor advisory regarding power steering fluid being below minimum in 2023 warrants confirmation that the system has been checked for leaks from the rack, pipes, or pump, and that the fluid has been topped and maintained since. The front brake pipe corrosion advisory noted in both 2024 and 2025 should be physically verified, as corroded brake lines are a safety-critical item that can ultimately lead to fluid loss and brake failure if left untreated. Given the van’s age and mileage, the buyer should also satisfy themselves as to the condition and age of the timing belt and ancillary drive belt, the service history stamps for engine oil and filter changes, the state of the cooling system including radiator and hoses which degrade from the inside out regardless of mileage, the exhaust system for blowing joints or corrosion, and the condition of tyres with particular attention to age-related sidewall cracking as well as tread depth, since the front tyres were already approaching the legal limit in 2023. A pre-purchase inspection by a qualified commercial vehicle technician with the van raised on a lift is strongly recommended given the accumulated advisories and the structural integrity concerns flagged across multiple test dates.