How Many Miles & Years Do Ford Transits Last? (8 Important Facts)

The Ford Transit is a set of commercial vans that offer sizeable luggage compartments and sufficient passenger space.

F0r this reason, delivery services and other businesses with the need to ferry goods find it suitable for them.

Do Ford Transits last long?

It’s why they quickly became a favorite of the buying public upon their release in the American market in 2015. Judging by their performance in Europe, Transit vans will last any between 10-15 years before requiring extensive upgrades.  

How Many Miles do Ford Transits Last?

If you take care of the vehicle, your Ford Transit van can last as long as 160,000-300,000 miles.

While testing the Transit before its release into the market, Ford estimated its service life at 150,000 miles.

However, some drivers have claimed that Transit vans can last longer than that.

While attributing the longevity of his vehicle to careful driving, one Transit owner said his van has lasted for 161,000 miles.

Another driver said he had encountered Ford Transits with service lives as much as 300,000 miles.

Notwithstanding this, these two drivers note that the van often requires minor repairs when it has lasted that long.

Also check our article to know “Where are Ford Transits made”?

How Soon to Except Rust on a Ford Transit

Rust appears on Ford Transit vans about 10 years after production.

Usually, the first signs of rust occur on the wheels, door hinges, and slides.

That’s why you have to inspect the forenamed parts when buying a used Transit, to ensure that they are still in crisp condition.

If they are not, request a repair before you purchase the vehicle.

As the vans become older, even the paint starts to fall apart.

Nevertheless, technicians recommend that you spray your Transit van regularly with a rust inhibitor if you want to delay rusting.

Look into our article which reads about Ford Transit & Light: 14 Questions Answered

How Long do Ford Transits Last Compared to Similar Vehicles?

Compared to similar vans, Ford Transits are durable.

Let’s see how the Transit stacks up against the competition.

Ford Transit vs. RAM ProMaster City

Ford Transits can last as long as 300,000 with minimal maintenance.

Likewise, the Promaster City can also do over 300k miles without any major repairs. But that’s assuming the owner services it every 4k miles.

Rust seems to appear on the Transit faster than it does on the ProMaster City. Users of the Transit claim they found rust on their vehicle about 10 years after their manufacture date.

The ProMaster City does not start rusting until about 20 years after production.

With respect to gas mileage, RAM ProMaster City does better than the Transit. On a gallon of fuel, A Ford Transit will only take you 26 miles.

However, the ProMaster City will take you 28 miles on the same gallon of fuel.

With new models of the Ford Transit, the comparison is even farther apart.

While a 2019 ProMaster City will give you about 28 miles per gallon (mpg), the 2019 Transit will only last around 15 miles.

Ford Transit vs. NV200

When it comes to durability, the NV200 is the undisputed workhorse of the commercial van class.

It got a reliability rating of 4/5 from RepairPal, putting it ahead of a 21-van pack. The NV200 was made specifically for the American market and featured best-in-class features and exceptional durability.

Unfortunately, it is not as popular as the Ford Transit.

You should also be reading our article which talks about 3 Most Common Problems With The Ford Transit

Ford Transit vs. Mercedes Benz Metris

According to J.D Power, Consumer Reports, and the feedback from users, Mercedes vans are sturdier and more reliable than Ford vans.

The Metris offers more cargo space, is easier to service, and sports a more powerful engine.

It is also easier to service than the Transit and will probably last longer.

Are Ford Transits Reliable?

The reliability of Ford Transits is only about average.

Repairpal scores the Transit a 3 out of 5 in reliability. This score may be the average when we consider all kinds of vehicles. But, for a commercial van, it is quite commendable.

Even RepairPal ranks it 6th best out of 21 commercial vans, despite a seemingly low-reliability score.

In addition, Ford Transits require repair much earlier than other vehicles, a problem that speaks to its reliability. Very often, users claim their vehicle needed repair as soon as it reached 80,000 miles.

Most vehicles don’t need a repair until around 100,000 miles.

The Best and Worst Years for Ford Transits

The 2020 Ford Transit is the best model year.

It offers a quiet cabin, more cargo space, and improved handling.

Ford made improvements in the engine and fuel department and provided a slew of driver assistance features.

While the vehicle may not have stylish interiors, its seats are quite comfortable.

On the other hand, the worst model year is the 2012 Ford Transit. This year had the highest amount of complaints.

Most of these complaints were focused on the vehicle’s defective transmissions.

For a more in-depth analysis, please read our article about the best and worst years of the Ford Transit.

What About Recalls for these Models?

There are up to 14 recalls for the Ford Transit.

Ford recalled some 2020 Ford Transits on account of a defective assemblage of their seat belt.

In the event of a crash, passengers are more likely to sustain injuries because the seatbelts may not restrain them correctly.

The Ford Motor Company also recalled some 2012 Ford Transit models to fix their problematic wiper arms. The wiper arms were not fastened properly.

During rain or winter, drivers might not see the road clearly because the wiper arms might encounter failures or even break off.

Ford Transit Model Year List

The Ford Transit has been on sale in the United States since 2015.

Here are the model years:

• 2015 model year
• 2016 model year
• 2017 model year
• 2018 model year
• 2019 model year
• 2020 model year

Are Ford Transits Expensive to Maintain?

No, they are quite affordable to maintain.

The average cost of maintaining commercial vans is $963 per year.

On the other hand, the yearly cost of maintenance of the Ford Transit is $947.

How Long Do Brakes Last?

If you maintain your van regularly, your Ford Transit brakes can last for 150,000 miles.

Your brakes will only last this long if you don’t put excessive pressure on them. When you stump heavily on the brakes, they wear out faster.

Another way to prolong the service life of your brakes is to make the mechanic examine them every time you service your vehicle.

At some point, you’ll have to get a replacement for your brakes.

New brakes cost about $163-$182.

How Long Do Batteries Last?

The service life of Ford batteries is about six years.

Drivers who always switch off the lights in their car before they exit it often enjoy longer-lasting batteries.

Depending on your budget, you’ll need about $48-$182 to get new ones.

How Long Do Tires Last?

Your Ford Transit tires will last about 60,000-80,000 miles if you take proper care of your vehicle.

If you want to prolong the service life of your tires, ensure you rotate them every time you take your vehicle for maintenance.

How Long Do Transmissions Last?

For Ford Transit vehicles that enjoy regular servicing, transmissions will last for about 150,000 miles.

Transits have very long-lasting transmissions.

You only need to perform periodic servicing religiously, and the trannies will probably last a lifetime.

How Long Do Spark Plugs Last?

Ford Transit spark plugs can last for 100,000 miles.

You can replace your spark plugs for as low as $200.

What Is the Insurance Cost of Ford Transit?

It costs between $84-$102 per month to insure a Ford Transit.

Tips to Prolong the Service Life of your Vehicle

Here are tips to extend the life of your Ford Transit:

• Take your van for servicing after every 6-12 months.
• Avoid overloading your van as much as possible.
• Change your oil filter and transmission fluid after as at when due.
• Use recommended lubricants and ensure your tires are well inflated.

References:

Ford Transit – MSN.com

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