2015 Ford Transit 2.2L Diesel · YP65 HVL

A consistent pattern of front suspension wear sits at the heart of this Transit's MOT record, with advisories on the lower suspension arm rear bushes appearing at the 2022 and 2024 tests and progressing in specificity from a general note to clearly identified nearside and offside bushes by the second flagging. Although neither advisory reached the threshold of an MOT failure, the repetition points to bushes that are continuing to deteriorate rather than stabilising, and at 181,570 miles this is the kind of mileage where the wishbones themselves can begin to show fatigue around the mounting points. The 2022 record also captured play in both steering rack inner joints, a finding that complements the suspension wear narrative and suggests the front-end geometry and steering geometry are both areas to scrutinise closely. The most recent test on 24 November 2025 returned a clean pass with no advisories, which is encouraging on the surface but should be read in context against the recurring chassis wear flagged at the two prior inspections, as a single clean pass does not necessarily indicate that the previously noted deterioration has been resolved. The mileage profile tells a clear story of intensive commercial use. Covering roughly 16,506 miles per year over an eleven-year life, this Transit has been worked substantially harder than a typical private vehicle, and the accumulated wear on braking components, clutches, drivetrain mounts and suspension linkages should be expected to reflect that load. Annual MOT tests have been carried out consistently every November or early December since 2021, with no extended gaps in testing that would suggest long periods off the road, so the mileage recorded can be considered broadly reliable and representative of continuous operation. The high annual mileage also raises the likelihood of non-MOT items requiring attention, including clutch wear if manual, dual-mass flywheel fatigue if applicable, gearbox mount deterioration and accelerated wear on rolling components such as wheel bearings, propshaft joints and constant velocity gaiters, none of which are visible on an MOT record but are mechanically consistent with a working van of this mileage. Any prospective buyer should treat the front suspension as the primary inspection area. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end when traversing speed humps, potholes or uneven surfaces, and pay particular attention to whether steering inputs feel vague or imprecise, as the previously noted rack inner joint play can manifest as a slight delay or slack in the steering before the wheels respond. Visually inspect the lower wishbone rear bushes for cracking, perished rubber or visible deflection when the wheel is levered with a bar, and check for uneven or feathered front tyre wear, which would confirm that the bushes are no longer holding the geometry within tolerance. Given the steering rack play advisory, also feel for any knocking transmitted through the steering wheel over rough roads and watch for weeping fluid around the rack bellows, which would indicate internal seal wear developing. The remainder of the mechanical assessment should focus on condition that MOT testing does not cover. A thorough underside examination for corrosion is essential on any high-mileage Transit of this age, paying particular attention to the front subframe, suspension strut towers, inner wheel arches and brake pipe runs along the chassis, as commercial use in winter conditions can accelerate underbody corrosion long before it shows on the upper body. Check the condition of the clutch for slip under load and any judder on take-off, inspect all CV gaiters and the propshaft for splits or wear, and confirm that the gear selection remains precise without excessive lever movement, as worn gearbox linkages are common on heavily worked Transits. Finally, verify that all routine servicing items, including cambelt or chain intervals, coolant changes and gearbox fluid, have been documented in line with the vehicle's workload, and budget for the likely replacement of the front suspension bushes and a steering rack refurbishment in the near term.