Ford Transit known problems and what to check
What goes wrong on a used Ford Transit, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides and what to check before you buy one.
Pick the year
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112009200820072006200420032002200120001995
What usually goes wrong with a Ford Transit?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2014–2025 · All engines
Water pump and injector recalls
About 92,000 Transits were recalled for a run-on water pump that could overheat, nearly 14,000 for faulty injectors and about 5,000 for badly welded lower control arms.
At the viewing: Ask a Ford dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
- Cars registered 2018–2025 · 2.0 EcoBlue diesel (most Ford 2.0 diesels from about 2018)
Oil pump belt that runs in oil (2.0 EcoBlue diesel)
The 2.0 EcoBlue diesel drives its oil pump with a belt that runs in the engine oil. As it wears it can shed rubber and cut oil pressure, which can wreck the engine. Ford has shortened the change interval on the Transit to 6 years or 100,000 miles.
At the viewing: Ask when the oil pump belt was last changed, and watch for an oil-pressure warning light.
Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt
- Cars registered 2006–2013 · All engines
Steering wheel, driveshaft and brake recalls
Recalls covered steering wheels that could come off (8,587 vans), driveshafts that could detach (53,766), a rear brake pipe bracket bolt (127,882), power steering leaks onto the exhaust, front lower arm bolts and seatbelt fixings.
At the viewing: Ask a Ford dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
Source: Haynes: Ford Transit Mk3 common problems (2006-2013)
- Cars registered 2006–2013 · Diesel
Oil pump failure
An oil pressure warning on an engine that was running fine usually means the oil pump has failed. Stop straight away.
At the viewing: Make sure the oil light goes out promptly after starting.
Source: Haynes: Ford Transit Mk3 common problems (2006-2013)
- Cars registered 2014–2025 · Manual gearbox
Clutch and flywheel wear
Clutches wear out early, especially on vans that tow. The fix is a new clutch and flywheel.
At the viewing: Accelerate hard in a high gear and feel for slip.
- Cars registered 2014–2025 · Diesel
Sluggish and poor on hills
A clogged fuel filter, faulty injectors or a blocked particulate filter (common on town vans) cause poor pulling.
At the viewing: Drive it up a hill and watch for warning lights.
- Cars registered 2006–2013 · All engines
Faulty ignition switch
A faulty ignition switch can make the wipers come on by themselves, the instruments fail or the van not start.
At the viewing: Turn the key several times and watch for odd behaviour.
Source: Haynes: Ford Transit Mk3 common problems (2006-2013)
- Cars registered 2006–2013 · Diesel
Spluttering and fuel rail sensor
Coughing with an engine light can be a fuel leak or a faulty fuel rail pressure sensor, which needs a new fuel rail.
At the viewing: Look and sniff for diesel leaks, and check for warning lights.
Source: Haynes: Ford Transit Mk3 common problems (2006-2013)
- Cars registered 2014–2025 · Diesel
NOx sensor warning light
An engine warning light is often a faulty NOx sensor in the exhaust.
At the viewing: Make sure the engine warning light goes out.
- Cars registered 2014–2025 · All engines
Fast-wearing rear brake pads
Misaligned rear pads can rub the discs and wear quickly.
At the viewing: Look at the rear pads and discs.
2 more known faults
- Cars registered 2006–2013 · All engines
Fan running all the time
A faulty cooling fan can run constantly and stop the air con working.
At the viewing: Listen for the fan after a short drive, and check the air con.
Source: Haynes: Ford Transit Mk3 common problems (2006-2013)
- Cars registered 2006–2013 · Front-wheel drive
Grinding from the front
A worn driveshaft centre bearing grinds.
At the viewing: Listen when moving off and at speed.
Source: Haynes: Ford Transit Mk3 common problems (2006-2013)
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Ford Transit
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have the water pump, injector and control arm recalls been done?
- Has the oil pump belt been changed, and is there a full service history?
- Have all the recalls been done? Can a Ford dealer confirm from the VIN?
- Has it ever shown an oil pressure warning?
- Has the clutch been replaced, and does it tow?
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Ford Transit?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score