With over 8 million sold, the Ford Transit is the third most popular van of all time and the best-selling light commercial vehicle in Europe for four decades. Amazingly, it was only introduced officially by Ford US in 2013, but it’s been a familiar sight on British and European streets since the mid-sixties.
The secret of its success has been its flexibility, adaptability and – ultimately – its almost car-like performance. It’s been a chart-topping hit with low-budget touring rock bands, a steal as the ultimate low-key getaway vehicle for villains and a visibly bio-degradable rust-chariot for new-age travellers.
More than that, it’s been the bedrock of local commerce for as long as most of us can remember. The Transit as we know it was officially born in 1965 (there was an unrelated German Ford Taunus Transit before this, but it was not widely seen or exported outside Germany), and it was a revelation compared to other light commercial vehicles on sale at the time. It replaced the narrow-track Ford Thames and competed with the bulbous but oddly appealing Commer van and the pug-faced Bedford CA.
The Transit outshone them all with a wide-track chassis for a much better load area, easily sourced mechanical components from existing car ranges and a huge array of body styles and configurations that made the Transit supremely versatile. It’s been used as a regular cargo van, a pickup/flatbed truck, a minibus and a cutaway chassis for custom van builders.
Over its history it’s come in short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase versions, with rear wheel drive, front wheel drive and even four-wheel drive. And latest versions can boast truly car-like performance, as demonstrated by German race driver Sabine Schmitz as she hurled a 2005 Transit round the legendary Nürburgring in just 10 minutes and 8 seconds for the BBC’s Top Gear programme.
There have been countless Transit versions and variations since its 1965 launch but they can be organised into a pattern. Essentially, there have been four distinct generations, and each one has had a mid-life ‘facelift’. The first generation ran the longest, from 1965 to 1986. This is the one that had the traditional two-box design with a short bonnet/hood to accommodate the engine.
Transit Mk1 to Mk6 (1965–2014): Simplicity You Can Fix with a Toolkit
Older Transit models — especially the Mk4 to Mk6 — are beloved for their mechanical simplicity and affordability, making them perfect for budget-conscious van builds
Early Transits used V4 engines shorter than a regular in-line design, which minimised the bonnet length – though diesel versions needed a longer bonnet. It was the second generation, introduced in 1986, that brought the modern ‘one-box’ design with the sharply-sloping nose shape blending the bonnet and the windscreen.
Engine upgrades brought the old Transit powertrains up to date and new luxuries like aircon and central locking were added as optional extras. The handling was improved too, as the old Transit’s front beam axle was replaced with a more modern independent suspension design.
The third generation of Transit arrived in 2000, and despite any superficial similarities, this was designed by Ford US. It came with some major engine upgrades, including Ford’s Duratorq turbo-diesel, and genuinely car-like performance. And, for the first time, it became available in both rear-wheel and front-wheel drive versions. The fourth Transit generation arrived in 2013. It’s a ‘OneFord’ design from Ford Europe but co-developed with Ford US.
- Rust repairs (especially sills, arches, and chassis rails)
- Brake line and fuel line replacements
- Cooling system upgrades for long-distance travel
- Timing belt replacements for pre-ChainDrive diesel engines
- Clutch and gearbox work — often DIY-accessible
Transit Mk7 (2006–2014): The Precursor to the Modern Camper Platform
The Mk7 ushered in more refinement — including Ford’s Duratorq TDCi diesels, better payloads, and increased use of electronics. This generation became the backbone of many early professional conversions and long-distance rigs.
- Injector seals (prone to leaking — “black death” if left unchecked)
- EGR and intake carbon buildup from short trip use
- Dual-mass flywheel failure — especially under heavy loads
- HVAC fan resistor and wiring faults
- Handbrake cable adjustment and rear drum rebuilds
- Solar setups often splice into aging wiring — check grounds and fuse taps.
- Rear axle sag when converting long-wheelbase high-roofs — consider leaf spring upgrades.
- Heavier builds benefit from cooling system flushes every 2 years to prevent thermostat sticking.
“The Mk7 is ideal for owners who want mechanical accessibility with just enough creature comforts.” Haynes Editorial Team
Fourth Generation Transit (2015–2023): Modern Muscle, Modular Living
The Gen 4 Transit brought smart electronics, advanced safety features, and modern powertrains like the 3.5L EcoBoost and 2.0L EcoBlue diesel. It also became a vanlife superstar — especially in the U.S. and UK — thanks to its tall roof options, AWD, and fleet-level reliability. Our Ford Transit Haynes manual covers the essentials you need.
- CANbus and battery management system (BMS) issues with solar integration
- High idle time wear on cooling fans, tensioners, and belts
- TPMS and ABS sensor faults after wheel upgrades or tire size changes
- Sliding door latches and step mechanisms wearing out from constant use
- Rear brake caliper and parking brake motor failures in AWD models
- Auxiliary battery and inverter installs need careful circuit planning — wiring diagrams make this safe and clear.
- Extended idling while charging leisure batteries puts wear on the serpentine belt system — inspect regularly eg 25,000 miles at a minimum.
- DIY HVAC repairs (blowers, blend doors, resistors) are more complex, but detailed photos and part access guides help immensely.
The Transit has come a long way since 1965, and it’s amazing to think that it celebrated its 50th birthday in 2015. It might not be the most glamorous vehicle on the planet, but the Ford Transit has surely been one of the most influential. Owning a Transit means you’re the driver, the builder, and the mechanic. No blog post or build video replaces the depth and reliability of a trusted DIY manual by your side.
