2017 Ford Transit 2.0L Diesel · YR17 ORT

The defining mechanical story of this 2017 Ford Transit is a generally clean MOT record with one notable exception in the form of a deteriorating CV joint boot flagged as a minor defect on the 2024 test, alongside a pair of suspension arm bush advisories recorded back in 2022. Across the seven tests documented, no failures are recorded, with the most recent examination on 14 August 2025 returning a straightforward pass and no advisories at all. The 2023 test was similarly clean, suggesting that the suspension arm advisories from 2022 may have been addressed or simply not progressed to the point of failure. While the absence of recorded defects on the latest test is encouraging, the CV boot deterioration from 2024 remains a relevant data point, as a split boot that has not been replaced will allow grease loss and water ingress, leading to joint failure if left unattended. Mileage accumulation over the nine-year life of this Transit stands at a recorded 69,452 miles, which equates to an average of roughly 7,717 miles annually, broadly consistent with typical usage for a commercial vehicle of this age. There is a degree of testing continuity from 2020 onwards, with tests recorded at approximately annual intervals and no extended gaps that would suggest prolonged periods off the road. The 2020 entry carries only a COVID-19 extension advisory, which reflects the nationwide MOT extension granted during that period rather than any vehicle-specific condition. For a working van of this vintage, this rate of accumulation points to steady operational use, which should have kept mechanical components cycling and prevented issues commonly associated with long-term standing, though it also means consumables such as brakes, tyres, and suspension linkages have experienced ongoing wear. For a prospective buyer, the most relevant component to scrutinise is the offside front drive shaft joint, given the deteriorated CV boot flagged in 2024. On a test drive, listen for any clicking or knocking from the front of the vehicle during full-lock turns at low speed, which would indicate a worn constant velocity joint, and inspect the boot itself for fresh grease deposits, cracks, or splits. Equally important is a thorough inspection of the front suspension, where both nearside and offside arm pins or bushes were noted as worn in 2022. With three years of additional use since that advisory, these components warrant close attention, and buyers should feel for any knocking or clonking over uneven road surfaces, vague steering response, or uneven tyre wear across the front axle, all of which can indicate advancing bush deterioration. Beyond the recorded advisories, a physical inspection should pay particular attention to the areas that commonly affect Transits of this age and mileage. The rear leaf spring shackles, mounting brackets, and the underside of the body in general should be checked for corrosion, as commercial use often accelerates rust formation through exposure to damp loads and winter gritting. Brakes should be evaluated for binding calipers, which is a known issue on Transits and manifests as uneven pulling or hot wheels after use. It is also worth verifying that any advisory items, such as the CV boot and suspension bushes, have been rectified since they were flagged, as the absence of further advisories does not guarantee that remedial work was carried out.