2022 Ford Transit 2.0L Diesel · WN72 AOY

The defining mechanical thread running through this Transit's MOT history is a developing concern at the rear wheel bearings, flagged on both sides at the most recent assessment on 22 June 2026 and previously noted on the offside rear in October 2025. Both 2026 advisories were issued at the same test, which suggests the play has progressed to a point where both hubs are showing measurable movement rather than being an isolated early-stage finding on one corner. The fact that the offside rear bearing has now been recorded with play across two consecutive tests, having first appeared as an advisory in late 2025, points to a component whose wear is advancing rather than resolving. Although a 'slight play' advisory does not constitute a failure, it is the DVSA's formal notification that the bearing has passed beyond acceptable tolerance and warrants replacement before the play exceeds the pass threshold. The record otherwise shows two passes with no other advisories, but the bearing pattern is the standout mechanical story that any prospective buyer needs to weigh carefully. With four years on the road and only 18,315 miles recorded, this Transit has averaged roughly 4,579 miles per year, which is low for a commercial vehicle of this type and indicates either light duty use or extended periods off the road. The MOT record shows tests at June 2026 and October 2025, but no tests prior to the latter, suggesting the vehicle was either newly registered without an MOT requirement until three years of age, or it covered the bulk of its early life without the need for annual testing. Low annual mileage can be a mixed signal for a van of this class; lighter use generally reduces wear on high-mileage components like the clutch, drivetrain and braking surfaces, but extended standing periods can accelerate corrosion on brake discs, degrade suspension bushes through lack of articulation, and lead to uneven tyre wear from prolonged static loading on the same contact patches. The relatively clean advisory list outside the bearings is broadly consistent with low overall use, but the bearing wear itself is notable given the modest mileage accumulation. For a buyer evaluating this vehicle, the immediate priority is a physical inspection of both rear wheel bearings, as MOT advisories only require the tester to flag play that has already become measurable and may underestimate the true rate of degradation. On a test drive, listen for a humming or rumbling noise from the rear axle that rises in pitch with road speed and typically changes character during cornering as load transfers off the affected wheel, and check for any wandering or looseness through the steering when traversing uneven surfaces. With the vehicle unladen on a level surface, rocking each rear wheel at the top and bottom to feel for any notching or play, and listening for any grinding as the wheel is spun, will give a direct indication of current bearing condition. Given that both bearings are now affected, a buyer should budget for replacement of both rear hub assemblies rather than a single corner repair. The October 2025 advisory noted a nail in the nearside rear outer tyre, which is a common puncture rather than a structural concern but should prompt a check of the current tyre set for age, tread depth and any previous repairs, particularly on a low-mileage van where original tyres may still be fitted and subject to age-related cracking regardless of remaining tread. Beyond the documented advisories, a low-mileage Transit warrants particular attention to brake discs, which can develop corrosion pitting or lipping from infrequent use, and to any underbody corrosion that may have developed during standing periods, especially around the rear axle and suspension mounting points where the bearing advisories suggest mechanical focus is already required. Confirming the vehicle's service history directly, including any documented brake fluid or underbody checks during periods of inactivity, will help establish whether the bearing wear represents an isolated mechanical issue or a symptom of broader neglect during low-use spells.