2017 Ford Transit Connect 1.5L Diesel · YP67 HTL

The defining mechanical thread running across the MOT history of this 2017 Ford Transit Connect is a clear pattern of brake-related wear flagged repeatedly over successive tests, culminating in a dangerous brake pad failure at the front nearside in late 2020. Since that episode, the vehicle has accumulated four consecutive passes, including a clean test with no defects recorded on 3 November 2025, suggesting the braking system has since been attended to and held its condition over the intervening years. However, the brake story has not entirely gone away: the 2024 test recorded advisories for wear on both rear brake discs, and the earlier 2020 test had noted all brake discs as slightly lipped, which is consistent with a working vehicle used regularly and accumulating pad and disc wear at expected intervals. The single major failure in 2023 was tyre-related rather than mechanical, involving a nearside front tyre with a cut exposing ply or cords, an isolated incident rather than a systemic issue. Mileage accumulation across the recorded tests appears broadly proportional to age, with the annual rate sitting close to typical for a vehicle of this vintage and use class. There are no extended gaps between tests that would imply the vehicle was laid up for long periods, and the continuous annual testing pattern from 2020 onwards indicates regular operation. The advisory noting a spare wheel was fitted in 2023 is also worth flagging, as it confirms the vehicle is equipped with its full temporary wheel package, which is useful for a commercial vehicle of this type. The mileage figure of 77,610 on a nine-year-old van implies steady working use rather than heavy commercial abuse or prolonged storage, and the test frequency supports the interpretation that the vehicle has been in regular service throughout. For a prospective buyer, the priority on inspection should be the braking system given its prominence in the history. On a test drive, listen for any scraping, grinding, or squealing from the front nearside corner particularly under light braking, and feel for judder through the pedal or steering wheel which could indicate disc run-out following pad replacement. Inspect the rear brake discs directly for lip formation on the outer edge and visible corrosion pitting on the friction surface, as the advisories from both 2020 and 2024 indicate this has been a slowly progressing wear area. Check pad material thickness on all four corners, as the 2020 record showed wear across nearside front, offside front, and nearside rear simultaneously, suggesting even usage rather than a stuck caliper. The headlamp aim failure from 2020 is a one-off alignment issue and worth rechecking by simply observing beam pattern against a wall, but it carries no ongoing mechanical concern. With the tyre cut failure in mind, all four tyres and the spare should be examined for sidewall damage, embedded debris, and tread depth, particularly the nearside front which has now failed once. The undertray advisory recorded in 2020 means some components underneath may be obscured from casual view, so a ramp or jack examination is advisable to inspect for fluid leaks, corrosion on suspension arms, and condition of the exhaust mounting. Finally, given the vans age and commercial use profile, a thorough check of the rear lamp cluster for cracks or water ingress is prudent, as a broken lens was noted on the offside rear lamp in 2020, and any recurrence could affect future test outcomes.