Used Van Buying Guide: Ford Transit Custom 2013 - 2024
The Ford Transit Custom is Britain's favourite van and it's easy to see why builders and delivery drivers hold it in such high regard. All versions are easy to drive, comfortable, efficient and practical.
The Mk7 Transit was replaced in 2013 by not just the Transit Custom, but the larger standard Transit as well. The move makes some sense when you consider the breadth of models and drivetrains its predecessor offered, the Transit Custom coming exclusively in front-wheel drive, with a 2.2-litre turbodiesel at launch, with payload weights between 675kg and 1474kg.
Transit Custom buyers are limited to a regular panel van, double cab (in van) and a passenger-carrying Kombi model seating nine, including the driver. Ford also offers the Transit Custom as a Tourneo, for buyers looking to carry passengers in slightly plusher surroundings. There are plenty of camper conversions by specialists, too. Long and regular wheelbases dubbed L1 (short) and L2 (long) being 4.97m and 5.34m respectively.
Both wheelbases are offered in H1 and H2 (standard and high roof) the load capacities spanning 6.0 cubic meters for the regular roofed L1, that increasing to 7.2 cubic metres in H2 guise, the L2 having standard and H2 capacities of 6.8 cubic metres and 8.3 cubic metres.
All can take three standard Euro pallets, Ford also usefully allowing access through the lower bulkhead to allow longer loads of up to 3m (3.4m L2) to slot under the passenger seat. Trim choices include Base, Trend, Limited and Sport - a van we ran here for six months.
Engines available on a Ford Transit Custom
At launch the Transit Custom came with a 2.2-litre TDCI ‘Duratorq’ turbodiesel with 100PS, 125PS or 155PS. The 100PS version has 310Nm of torque, growing to 350Nm with the 125PS model and 385Nm with the 155PS flagship unit. The 2.2-litre TDCI unit is widely referred to in Transit Custom circles as the Euro5 engine.
In addition to the core models Ford added a ECOnetic 5 shortly after the Custom’s launch which, thanks to standard start/stop technology, improved emissions and economy slightly over the 162-189g/km of CO2 - depending on engine/body type - and 41-46mpg advertised economy.
From mid-2016 Ford replaced the 2.2-litre Euro5 engine with a smaller, but more powerful Euro6 compliant 2.0-litre unit. The 'EcoBlue' turbodiesel, like the 2.2-litre before it, is offered with three differing outputs. Up slightly, the range includes 105PS, 130PS and 170PS choices, these having 310Nm, 350Nm and 405Nm of torque respectively. A six-speed manual is standard, but from 2017 Ford offered the choice of a SelectShift automatic with either the 130PS and 170PS models.
Maintenance on a Ford Transit Custom
With a three-year 100,000 mile warranty and only having been on sale from 2013, the majority of Transit Customs are still being cared for by Ford’s official service centres. All require an annual or 12,000 mile service, whichever comes sooner. Don’t skip services on low mileage vehicles, as urban based short drop work is tougher mechanically than vehicles doing larger, sustained mileages.
Take your Transit Custom to an independent specialist and you’ll pay around £120 for a standard service. If the brakes need work you’ll be looking at a bill of £120 for the front ones and the same again at the rear.
The Transit Custom is susceptible to rusting rear hinges, but it's easy to fix with regular checks and a spray-on rust inhibitor. The intercooler pipe is also known to split where it rubs against a nut on the alternator; however, this is quick to fix with a whistling sound during the gearchange indicating that the pipe is on the verge of breaking.
With a three-year 100,000 mile warranty and only having been on sale from 2013, the majority of Transit Customs are still being cared for by Ford’s official service centres. All require an annual or 15,000 mile service, whichever comes sooner. Don’t skip services on low mileage vehicles, as urban based short drop work is tougher mechanically than vehicles doing larger, sustained mileages.
Take your Transit Custom to an independent like The Transit Centre and you’ll pay around £120 for a standard service. If the brakes need work you’ll be looking at a bill of £120 for the front ones and the same again at the rear.
The Transit Custom is susceptible to rusting rear hinges, but it's easy to fix with regular checks and a spray-on rust inhibitor. The intercooler pipe is also known to split where it rubs against a nut on the alternator; however, this is quick to fix with a whistling sound during the gearchange indicating that the pipe is on the verge of breaking.
What to watch
- It’s not unusual for the rear hinges to rust, very prematurely, keep an eye out for it or try regular prevention with a spray-on rust inhibitor.
- Check the outer CV joint rubber boot covers for splits. They wear and if they let water in the CV joints will wear quickly.
- Listen for whistling during gearchanges, if you hear it then check the intercooler pipe. It splits where it rubs against a nut on the alternator. A quick and easy fix.
- Have a look underneath and check for oil leaks, the crank oil seal can let oil out between the engine and the gearbox.
- Check the interior trim, the top of the gearknob often falls off. It’s a quick fix with some glue, though...
- If the DAB radio is getting poor reception or low sound, unplug any phone chargers from the 12 Volt socket below. Cheaper chargers cause interference, it worth spending a bit more on a higher quality one if you want to hear the radio.
- The Transit Custom has been prone to thefts thanks to a fault in the locking - seeing the driver’s door barrel lock opening and not setting off the alarms. Ford has a security update to sort this, though many people also fit higher security locks as an additional precaution.
- That 2.0-litre engine had some teething issues, there are reports of noisy idler pulleys, and adjustment needed to the belt tensioner. All this should be undertaken by Ford under warranty, with paperwork to match.
- The oil light is prone to coming on with the 2.0 Euro6 models, this is apparently a recall item. Ford is also replacing oil dipsticks on some models. Check if your van is subject to any recall work online.
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Ford Transit Custom Pricing
The very oldest 2013 examples can be had from around the £6000 mark. For that you’ll be buying a relatively high mileage example, but you shouldn’t necessarily be put off by that. That’s a basic panel van, Crew Cabs and Kombi models adding to that.
If you want rich pickings then up your budget to around £9000. For that you’ll be able to get pretty much any Transit Custom you wish, though, as ever, you’ll be doing well to find anything other than white. Given the paint finish on optional metallic finishes leaves a lot to be desired then that’s no issue. As ever, look for a full service history, with vehicles still as young as the Transit Custom there’s no excuse for any skipped servicing or scrimping on maintenance.
Specification in all is decent, but if we were buying we’d be looking for Trend and upwards, Limited being the real pick, and Base exactly that. Don’t assume that stripes on the bonnet mean it’s a genuine Sport, either, as many owners add them to lesser trims.
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What we said
The space between the wheel arches is best in class, allowing for 8x4ft board to be loaded flat to the floor. There are double cab versions available and a useful Kombi minibus variant which can carry nine people. It's a good alternative to the more expensive Ford Tourneo Custom
Where can I get a van history check for a Ford Transit Custom?
Many companies offer a van history data check and we’d recommend using one, even if a used car seller says this has already been carried out. Better to spend a few pounds and be safe than sorry – and checks can be carried out online, via mobile phone or by apps on tablet PCs.
My Car Check 
My Car Check is a well-established car (and other vehicle) history check provider, operating since 2005.
It's one of the cheaper on the market, with a range of options, including a free check, a basic check for £3.99 and a comprehensive check for £9.99. Multicheck options are available too. The free check gives you just the vehicle details, its valuation, and MoT status and history, while the basic check will tell you if it's stolen, exported, a write-off, scrapped, plus the free check information.
How much does a My Car Check Car report cost?
There are three levels of pricing for My Car Check, including - unusually in this market - a free option. There are also three Multicheck comprehensive options, which are worth a look if you have a long shortlist - 5 checks cost £30 (£6 per check), 12 checks cost £50 (£4.17 per check), and 20 checks cost £75 (£3.75 per check).
|
Single check cost |
Multiple check cost | |
|
Free history check |
Free |
- |
|
Basic history check |
£3.99 |
- |
|
Comprehensive check |
£9.99 |
£30 (for five), £50 (for twelve), £75 (for twenty) |
Total Car Check History Checks
Total Car Check History may not be the best-known of the vehicle history and data check companies, but it does claim to be the cheapest full check - both for individual checks and those done as a multiple.
How much does a Total Car History Check cost?
The basic £3.99 Silver Check will confirm a handful of details, such as mileage and MoT history and whether the car has been written off, while the £8.99 full check will tell you if it has outstanding finance, if it's been scrapped or stolen, a VIN check, a valuation and a £30,000 guarantee.
|
Single check cost |
Multiple check cost | |
|
£3.99 |
£9.99 (for five) |
|
|
£8.99 |
£14.99 (for three) or £19.99 (for five) |
What do you think of the Ford Transit Custom?
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