# Used Ford Transit Custom: Common Problems and Which Years to Buy > What to check on a used Transit Custom, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away. Covers: V362 (2013–2023), V710 (2024 on). Last updated: 2 November 2026. Web page: https://shufti.com.au/checklists/used-ford-transit-custom-inspection-checklist. Printable PDF: https://shufti.com.au/checklists/used-ford-transit-custom-inspection-checklist.pdf. ## Common Problems on a Used Ford Transit Custom The most commonly reported problems on a used Ford Transit Custom are rear door central locking failures, clutch and dual-mass flywheel wear, and timing belt wear on the diesel, whose belt runs in oil. Also check for exhaust filter (DPF) and AdBlue faults, and hard commercial use. ### Rear Door Central Locking Failures Owners of the V362 Transit Custom report the rear and side load doors failing to lock or unlock with the remote, usually from worn lock mechanisms or broken wiring in the door hinges. Lock and unlock the van with the remote and the key several times, and check every door, including the sliding and rear doors, responds each time. A van that can't be locked is a security risk for tools and stock. Price in the repair, and ask whether the locks or wiring have been replaced. ### Clutch and Dual-Mass Flywheel Wear Manual Transit Customs work hard, and owners report clutches and dual-mass flywheels wearing out, especially on vans that tow or carry heavy loads in stop-start driving. With the engine idling, listen for a rattle that stops when you press the clutch. On the drive, accelerate firmly in a higher gear: if the revs rise faster than the speed, the clutch is slipping. Judder pulling away is another warning sign. Ask when the clutch and flywheel were last replaced, with receipts. Replacing both is a big bill, so price it into your offer if the van shows the signs. ### Timing Belt Wear The 2.0-litre diesel's timing belt runs in the engine oil. As it wears, it can shed material into the oil, and if it fails, the engine can be badly damaged. Check the service history for oil changes on time with the oil Ford specifies, and for when the belt was last inspected or replaced. With the engine running, watch for an oil pressure warning. Ask whether the belt has been replaced, with receipts. If it hasn't and the van has done a lot of kilometres, have a mechanic check it and price a replacement into your offer. ## Which Ford Transit Custom Years to Avoid? No single Ford Transit Custom year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear, and the newest may still have some new-car warranty left. Whatever the year, a car's condition, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing. - **V362 (2013–2023).** 3 to 13 years old, typically about 40,000–160,000 km. ANCAP ratings: [5 stars (2012) for vans built from March 2014 to August 2019](https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/ford/transit-custom/2f32df); [5 stars (2012) for vans built from September 2019 to January 2022](https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/ford/transit-custom/bf916f). Stability control is standard. AEB is standard from September 2019 builds; before, it wasn't available. Most have done enough kilometres for wear items to come due: check the service history for regular servicing, and whether tyres, brakes and the battery need replacing. Ford's new-car warranty is 5 years with unlimited kilometres for cars sold from May 2018 (7 years for cars first sold from September 2026 and serviced on time only at Ford dealers), so ones first sold from 2021 may still be covered. - **V710 (2024 on).** Up to 2 years old, typically up to about 30,000 km. The current model. Ford's new-car warranty is 5 years with unlimited kilometres for cars sold from May 2018 (7 years for cars first sold from September 2026 and serviced on time only at Ford dealers), so any may still be covered. Check how much is left and that servicing has kept it valid. Kilometres are at the Australian average of about 12,600 km a year. Well above that means harder use; well below, ask why. Warranty terms are from [Ford's warranty page](https://www.ford.com.au/support/how-tos/warranty/warranties-and-coverage/what-is-the-new-vehicle-warranty), as at November 2026, for private buyers. The warranty runs from when the car was first sold or registered, which the service book shows. ## Ford Transit Custom General Inspection Guide A guide to checking for Ford Transit Custom problems, built on the [used car buying checklist](https://shufti.com.au/checklists/australian-used-car-inspection-checklist) for any car. It can't cover every problem reported across its years in one viewing. Tick it if it's fine. Cross it if it isn't, and note what you found so you can price it into your offer. - Safety critical: Affects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy. - Negotiate: Costs money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Get a quote and take it off the price. ### Exterior - [ ] **Sliding door.** Slide each side door open and shut by hand and check it runs smoothly on its track and latches first time without sagging or dragging. A door that needs a shove to latch has worn rollers or a bent track. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Rear door locking.** Lock and unlock the van with the key fob and check both rear doors lock and unlock together with the rest of the van. One door failing to respond while the rest of the van locks points to a wiring or actuator fault. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Body rust.** Look closely at the wheel arches, sills, door bottoms and roof gutter for bubbling paint or rust, including around any holes drilled for racks or ladders. Bubbles near drilled holes often mean water has been getting in for years. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Panel gaps.** Walk around the van checking the gaps between panels are even and the paint colour matches, especially around the front bumper and bonnet. Mismatched paint colour or overspray usually means a past repair. (Negotiate) ### Under the Bonnet - [ ] **Engine oil.** Pull the dipstick and check the oil sits between the marks and looks honey to light brown, not black, gritty or milky. A rising oil level between changes can mean fuel or coolant leaking into the engine. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Coolant.** Check the coolant reservoir is at the mark and the coolant is brightly coloured, not rusty, oily or milky. Oily or discoloured coolant points to a leak worth having checked before you buy. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Timing belt history.** Ask for evidence the timing belt has been changed at the scheduled interval, as this engine runs the belt inside the oil. Ask for receipts, as a worn or snapped belt here can wreck the whole engine. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Cold start.** Ask to start the van from cold; it should fire up easily and settle into a smooth idle within a few seconds. Heavy knocking, rough idle or smoke that won't clear within a minute needs a mechanic's look. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Extra wiring.** If a second battery, fridge, inverter or camper electrics have been fitted, check the extra wiring is neatly run and properly fused rather than loose and spliced. Messy wiring can cause electrical faults in a work van or conversion. (Negotiate) ### Underbody and Wheels - [ ] **Chassis rust.** Crouch down and look along the floor and chassis rails for rust, bent metal or fresh welds that suggest a past repair. Fresh underseal or paint in one area alone can be hiding damage. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Suspension bushes.** Push down hard on each corner of the van and let go; it should settle after one or two bounces, with no clunk or looseness. A clunk when pushing down means worn bushes or joints that will need replacing. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Brake discs.** Look through the wheel spokes at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised outer edge, which means they're close to needing replacement. A loaded van wears brakes faster than a car, so check this even on lower kilometres. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Tow ball.** If a towbar is fitted, check the tow ball for heavy shine or wear and the wiring plug for corrosion. A badly worn ball means the van has done plenty of towing, which adds strain to the drivetrain. (Negotiate) ### Interior and Electrics - [ ] **Warning lights.** Turn the key to "on" without starting; every dash warning light should come on, then go out once the engine is running. An airbag, brake or engine light that stays lit needs an explanation before you buy. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Every seatbelt.** Pull every seatbelt out fully and let it retract, checking it latches properly and the webbing isn't frayed. A belt that sticks or won't retract smoothly may not hold you properly in a crash. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Cargo floor.** Lift any floor covering in the cargo area and check the floor, lining and tie-down points for rust or water staining. Stains under a mat often hide a leak or rust that's been covered up for a sale. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Camper fit-out.** If fitted out as a camper, check the water, gas and 240V connections are secure and carry compliance plates. Loose gas fittings are a safety risk and can be costly to have re-certified. ### Test Drive - [ ] **Clutch feel.** Manual: drive off from a stop and change through the gears, feeling for the clutch biting high, slipping under load or juddering as it engages. A shudder pulling away or a high biting point points to a worn clutch. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Automatic gearbox.** Auto: drive through all gears including Reverse and Drive; changes should be smooth with no hard thump, hesitation or flare in revs. A delay or thump when shifting into gear points to an internal fault that's expensive to fix. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Power delivery.** Drive the van under load and check it pulls cleanly with no flat spots, hesitation or black smoke from the exhaust. Judder or a lack of power when accelerating hard is a warning sign worth having checked. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Brake feel.** Brake firmly from speed on a quiet road; the pedal should feel firm and the van should stop straight with no pulling, pulsing or grinding. Pulling to one side or grinding means the brakes need attention before the van is safe to drive daily. (Safety critical) ### Documentation - [ ] **Service history.** Check the logbook is stamped on time and look for receipts showing regular oil, filter and timing belt changes. Commercial vans rack up kilometres fast, so gaps in servicing matter more than on a private car. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Commercial use.** Ask the seller directly whether the van was used for courier, trade or paid transport work, and ask to see any business log. A van used daily for paid work has usually lived a harder life than a private one. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Registration status.** Check the registration is current and not written-off online, and ask for a roadworthy certificate if your state requires one for sale. (Negotiate) ## Stay Safe Never go under a car held up only by a jack, and never open the radiator or coolant cap on a hot engine. Keep hands, hair and loose clothing clear of fans and belts when the engine is running, and do checks under the bonnet with it switched off where you can. On the test drive, hold a current licence, confirm the car is registered and insured, obey road rules, and only brake hard when the road behind is clear. Meet in a safe, public-facing place, take someone with you, and don't carry large amounts of cash to a viewing. ## Disclaimer Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ford; Ford and Transit Custom are trademarks of Ford Motor Company. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which is worth considering before you buy, especially if anything tagged Safety critical turns up. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use. ## Buying a Used Ford Transit Custom: Questions Answered ### Is a used Ford Transit Custom reliable? It depends more on the particular car than the badge: how it was driven, loaded and serviced. Work through the commonly reported problems above, read the service history for servicing done on time, and run a PPSR check. ### Which Ford Transit Custom years should I avoid? No single Ford Transit Custom year stands out as one to avoid. Newer ones usually have fewer kilometres and less wear, and the newest may still have some new-car warranty left. Whatever the year, a car's condition, service history and recalls tell you more than its build date, and Shufti looks up the reported faults and recalls for the exact car from its listing. This checklist covers the V362 (2013–2023) and V710 (2024 on) Ford Transit Custom. Problems reported across them include rear door locking failures, clutch and flywheel wear and timing belt wear. ### How many kilometres is too many for a used Ford Transit Custom? Kilometres matter less than how a van has worked. Most have done courier, trade or shuttle work, so high kilometres are normal; one with a full service history can be a better buy than a lower-kilometre one that's been overloaded or missed services. Check the history for regular oil and filter changes, and ask what it carried. ### Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a used Ford Transit Custom? It's most worth it on a car where a hidden fault could be costly. Vans that have carried heavy loads all day can hide worn springs, brakes and gearboxes, so check how it sits empty and drive it loaded if you can. Either way, start by checking the car yourself with this checklist, so you know what to look for and whether it's worth paying a mechanic to see. See Pre-purchase car inspection: what it checks and costs (https://shufti.com.au/guides/used-car-inspection-options) ### How do I check a used Ford Transit Custom for money owing or a write-off? Run a PPSR check with the car's VIN on ppsr.gov.au (https://www.ppsr.gov.au/). It shows whether there's finance owing and whether the car has been reported stolen or written off. Run it on the day you pay. See What a PPSR check covers and what it doesn't (https://shufti.com.au/guides/what-is-a-ppsr-check) ### How do I check recalls on a used Ford Transit Custom? Search the government's Vehicle Recalls site for the Ford Transit Custom (https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/recalls/browse-all-recalls?search=Ford%20Transit%20Custom). Each notice says which models and build dates it covers and what the fault is. A recall on record doesn't tell you whether the work was done on a particular car, so ask the seller for proof, or ask a Ford dealer to check the VIN. --- Shufti is an Australian used car inspection app for iPhone and Android that tailors the inspection to the exact car you're looking at. It is not affiliated with Shufti Pro, the identity verification (KYC) company. From the listing link, it builds every check around that car's make, model and year, odometer reading and the seller's description. It runs PPSR and government recall checks, crosschecks a database of more than 3 million recalls and owner complaints, flags problems from your photos and audio, plans a test drive, produces a shareable report with repair cost estimates, and coaches you through the negotiation. A Tailored check costs $24.99, or $49.99 for three, including PPSR and recall checks. A mechanic's pre-purchase inspection costs $250–350. To start, Shufti's General inspection guide is free: pick the car's make and model, and it takes you through the checks that matter for that model, on your phone. There's a guide for popular models, and one for every type of car. Made by Frontpoint Digital Pty Ltd (ABN 23 669 870 366), Melbourne, Australia. Contact: hello@shufti.com.au. Download: [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/au/app/shufti-used-car-inspection/id6795718336?pt=129235165&ct=Website%20guide&mt=8), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.shufti.shufti_app&referrer=utm_source%3Dshufti.com.au%26utm_medium%3Dwebsite%26utm_campaign%3DWebsite%2520guide%26utm_content%3Dllms%26utm_term%3D%252Fllms.txt).