2018 Ford Transit Custom 2.0L Diesel · YP68 DXF

The most recent DVSA examination on 29 October 2025 resulted in a Pass, although three advisories were issued concerning the nearside and offside front tyres being worn close to the legal limit and on edge, together with slight damage, cracking or perishing noted on the offside rear tyre. Reviewing the wider MOT history, the overall maintenance trend appears broadly stable but with a clear and recurring theme of tyre wear across multiple test cycles. The earlier Pass on 25 October 2024 carried advisories on both rear tyres for similar edge wear, and the same date also records a Fail due to major defects for missing road wheel fixings on both front wheels, alongside the tyre advisories which were carried over. Prior to that, the October 2023 test noted wearing thin front brake pads and minor windscreen damage, while the May 2022 Pass was completely clean and the June 2021 Pass flagged worn rear bump stops. Taken together, the record suggests a vehicle that is fundamentally roadworthy but has experienced some neglect in basic consumable replacement, most notably wheel security and tyre condition, which a buyer should treat as cautionary indicators of prior maintenance standards. With approximately 72,110 recorded miles over eight years, annual usage works out at roughly 9,014 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a working van of this type and indicates the vehicle has been in regular service rather than left standing for prolonged periods. There are no unusually large mileage gaps between consecutive MOT tests, suggesting consistent operation, and this level of use is generally favourable for keeping mechanical components such as the clutch, turbo, brakes and suspension working through their intended duty cycles rather than seizing up or deteriorating through inactivity. However, the consistent annual mileage still places meaningful demand on suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs and pads, particularly given the laden work likely undertaken by a Transit Custom, so wear on these items should be considered proportionate to the van's age rather than unexpectedly low. Tyre wear is the dominant recurring theme in the MOT record and warrants careful physical inspection at the point of purchase. Both front tyres were flagged as edge-worn in late 2025, which on a front-wheel-drive commercial vehicle commonly points to alignment irregularities, worn suspension bushes or track rod ends, or simply a vehicle that has been heavily laden without regular rotation. Any test drive should include awareness of steering drift, uneven steering effort, or a vague feeling of wandering at speed, all of which would suggest tracking issues that have accelerated the observed wear. The perishing noted on the offside rear tyre is also a concern, as sidewall degradation in a 2018-build tyre is typical of age-related rubber deterioration, and a prospective buyer should examine all four tyres for cracking in the sidewall grooves and around the bead, regardless of remaining tread depth. Even tyres with adequate tread that show perishing can fail an MOT and represent a safety risk under braking. Beyond the documented defects, several age and mileage related items merit physical verification before purchase. The 2023 advisory on front brake pads being thin means pads have likely been replaced since, but the condition of the brake discs should still be examined for lipping, scoring or corrosion, particularly given any periods of light use where surface rust can lead to binding calipers and uneven pad wear. The earlier advisory on both rear bump stops being worn is consistent with a laden rear suspension working hard, and on inspection one should look for sagging at the rear, excessive bouncing over bumps, or knocking from the rear suspension on uneven surfaces which would suggest the bump stops and possibly the shock absorbers or springs need replacement. The wheels should also be checked to confirm all fixings are present and correctly torqued, addressing the 2024 fail point, and the service history should be verified to confirm timing belt or chain intervals, recent brake fluid and coolant changes, and the condition of the 12 volt battery, which on an eight year old vehicle is often approaching the end of its reliable service life. Finally, a thorough walkaround should confirm that the previously noted windscreen damage has not progressed to a position or size that would now obstruct the driver's view.