Buying a used Ford Transit Custom: what to check

That popularity works in your favour: parts are everywhere, most mechanics know the van inside out and there is usually plenty of choice, so you are not stuck taking the first one you see.

Here is what to check before you commit.

Why it is a safe bet

The Transit Custom earns its reputation. It drives well, the load area is a sensible shape and there is a version for almost every job, from a basic panel van to a crew cab or a high-spec double cab. Running costs are reasonable and it holds its value, which cuts both ways: you pay a fair bit to buy one, but you get it back when you come to sell.

What to check for

• Service history. A van that has been serviced on time and on record is worth paying a little more for. Look for a consistent history rather than a stack of loose receipts with gaps in it.
• Mileage against condition. High miles are normal on a working van, but the condition should match. A high-miler that still looks and drives tight has usually been looked after. A low-miler that feels tired has not.
• The emissions system. Diesel Transit Customs can struggle if they are run mostly on short, stop-start journeys, which clog up the DPF and EGR. A Transit Custom that has spent its life doing school-run-length trips for a local delivery service will often have a more tired emissions system than one that has done big motorway miles for a courier, even if the motorway van shows double the mileage. How it was used matters as much as the number on the clock.
• The load area. Pay attention to the floor, the wheel arches and the door seals, because a hard working life shows there.

What it suits

A used Transit Custom fits most medium van work, from trades to delivery and because there are so many on the market you can usually find the right size, spec and price with a bit of looking rather than compromising.

On Vangoo's platform you can see the condition upfront on every used Transit Custom listed, so you know what you are buying.