Used Ford Transit

What to know before buying: Ford Transit

From 2 video reviews and 1 press test · updated 26/09/2026

What the reviews say

• The full-size Transit offers more than 450 variants, with three load lengths, two roof heights, and front-, rear- or four-wheel drive.[1]one source
• Steering is direct and responsive, body roll is well controlled, and ride comfort is rated on par with the Mercedes Sprinter.[1]one source
• The cab is spacious, the driver's seat adjusts eight ways, and several large storage areas are provided.[1]one source
• The largest van's 15.1 m³ load volume trails some rivals, but its 1.3 m side-door opening is described as the best on the market.[1]one source

Typical faults

• The 155 hp 2.2-litre turbodiesel can burn a piston, usually in cylinder three, at just 30,000–40,000 km; 2017–2018 vehicles are described as the most troublesome.[2]one source

  30 000–40 000 km · 2017–2018 · 2.2 turbodiesel 155 hp

• The Euro 5 diesel's vane oil pump can shed its composite blades; the low-pressure warning may appear only after the engine has already suffered oil starvation.[2]one source

  Euro 5 diesel

• On rear- and four-wheel-drive versions, the radiator fan viscous coupling commonly fails around 200,000 km, and replacement usually requires substantial front-end disassembly.[2]one source

  200 000–200 000 km

• Front anti-roll-bar links and wheel bearings wear early, more often on the right; the stated service life is about 50,000–60,000 km.[2]one source

  50 000–60 000 km

• On post-2006 diesels, short trips can prevent DPF regeneration; the filter clogs, triggering a warning, power loss and potentially limp mode.[3]one source

  2006+ · diesel

• On manual vans, the dual-mass flywheel can wear prematurely in stop-start urban use, sometimes before 100,000 km; signs include rattling, pedal vibration and difficult shifts.[3]one source

Which engine and version to take

• The review recommends the 103 hp 2.0-litre diesel: all its torque arrives from 2,000 rpm, making it quieter and more efficient than the higher-output versions.[1]one source

What to avoid

• Avoid the 155 hp 2.2-litre turbodiesel: the source recommends lower-output versions because of reported early piston burn-through.[2]one source

What to check at the inspection

• Start the engine cold: listen for turbo whistle, injector knock and dual-mass-flywheel rattle; check for oil leaks and black smoke under acceleration.[3]one source
• Test every light, gauge, wiper and central-locking point from every door; no fault lamps should remain illuminated after startup.[3]one source
• Check rear pad thickness especially closely; pulling under braking suggests a seized caliper, while metal-on-metal scraping means the pads are spent.[3]one source
• Inspect the arches, lower door edges, crossmembers, underside of the load floor, rear hinges, chassis rails and brake lines for corrosion.[3]one source
• For a manual, test every gear in traffic, check for clutch slip on a hill start, and compare rattling with the clutch pressed and released.[3]one source
• Auxiliary air bags fitted to the rear leaf springs indicate deliberate overloading; inspect the subframe, transmission and engine particularly carefully.[2]one source

Verdict

Sources

1. [1]What Car? — 2021 Ford Transit review | Edd China's in-depth review | What Car? · ▶ video
2. [2]АВТО ПЛЮС — The best small-tonnage foreign car? Ford Transit | Used cars · ▶ video
3. [3]tacticengineering.com — Problemas del Ford Transit: las averías más comunes (2026) · press

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