Used Ford Transit Custom 2012-present review

It's fair to say that the Ford Transit Custom has been a bit of a runaway success - it's the UK's best-selling van. It was launched in 2012, and as a medium-sized van sits below the larger Ford Transit and above the smaller Courier and Connect in the admirable Ford range.

Its key competitors are the VW Transporter, the Mercedes Vito and the Vauxhall Vivaro, and you can have your Transit Custom with either a standard or long-wheelbase van, with the choice of a regular or high roof. If you’re after something other than a simple panel van, there are Kombi minibus versions capable of carrying up to nine passengers and Double Cab vans with a second row of seats. For the ultimate in people moving, there is also the Transit Custom Tourneo – a premium nine-seat minibus.

The Transit Custom was substantially facelifted in 2019, with a full exterior and interior redesign. The new front-end design featured a high-mounted three-bar grille and slim headlights with distinctive LED daytime running lights. It also increased in-cab storage and updated the infotainment system.

The 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine under the bonnet comes in three power outputs: 104bhp, 128bhp and 168bhp. It was launched with the tried-and-tested 2.2-litre Duratorq engine from the Transit, but in 2019 it was facelifted inside and out and fitted with the already proven 2.0-litre engine. Indeed the Custom has been updated incrementally with new software and safety features over the course of its life, and that 2019 facelift revitalised the model inside and out.

It introduced an even more powerful version of the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel, and every Transit Custom got an upgrade, thanks to new turbochargers that increased power and efficiency. A six-speed automatic gearbox was also introduced for the first time alongside the 2.0-litre EcoBlue engine.

A new Transit Custom mHEV 'mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle' package was introduced at the same time, and this was an option on some engines that adds a clever starter-generator system and a small lithium-ion battery pack in an effort to save even more fuel. These vans are badged EcoBlue Hybrid.

There are also four trim levels: Base, Trend, Limited and Sport. Base trim should be disregarded because Trend adds a considerable amount of desirable equipment. Body-coloured bumpers, LED daytime running lights and proper wheel trims improve the looks dramatically, while on the inside there is a DAB radio, the complicated but eight-way adjustable seat, leather-trimmed steering wheel and cruise control, not to mention parking sensors.

Limited adds the 8.0in infotainment screen, as well as air conditioning and alloy wheels, and Sport adds a bodystyling kit, stripes and a bit more leather. Trend trim should be sufficient for most buyers, but if you want a few extra gadgets and the connectivity afforded by Sync 3, Limited is probably worth the premium. If you’ll be using the van to tow, we’d also recommend adding the rear-view camera with Trailer Hitch Assist.

You can also choose from the Ford Transit Custom Active and the Ford Transit Custom Trail in post-facelift models. Active models get part-leather seats but more importantly get what Ford calls SUV-inspired styling, with Active decals and 17in alloy wheels.

Trail vans get a much larger overhaul. Full leather seats are the main interior feature, but externally there’s newly moulded front and rear bumpers, side skirts and a matte-black grille with large F-O-R-D lettering.

On the road, the later engine is far more efficient than the first-generation 2.2-litre Duratorq and emits 55% less NOx. However, it‘s not the most refined engine in the market – the 1.6 diesel found in the Renault Trafic, Vauxhall Vivaro and Mercedes-Benz Vito is quieter and just as lively.

The 168bhp engine with 299lb ft is the pick of the bunch if you want masses of pulling power, but all three units are highly competent. There’s plenty of torque across a wide spread of revs so the Transit Custom is a pleasurable van to drive both around town and on motorways. The Custom is also the best-handling mid-sized van, with a pleasantly weighty steering rack that provides you with ample feedback without being tiresome to drive.

The standard six-speed manual gearbox has a nice sharp action and is our preferred choice over the six-speed SelectShift automatic, which is only available with the two higher-powered engines.

Inside, Limited and Sport models get a tablet-like 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system as standard, which is a good attempt at adding premium car equipment into a working vehicle. The system uses the third generation of Ford’s Sync system, which is far simpler than the multi-menued Sync 2 and a welcome upgrade from the 4.3in standard screen on Trend models or the standard AM/FM radio found on Base vans. Sync 3 also supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which allows you to use your smartphone via the screen.

Elsewhere, the Transit Custom’s interior looks neater and less cluttered than before, and it has a particularly ergonomic layout. Thanks to the combination of a rake and reach adjustable steering wheel and a highly adjustable seat, it should be easy for drivers of all shapes and sizes to find a comfortable driving position in the Transit Custom.

Although there isn’t more storage space overall than before, the Custom has far more places to stash things away, including more compartments along the top of the dash. The door bins are more practical, too, with split-level compartments that allow you to store more small items discreetly.

For the 2018 facelift Ford completely turned this around, boosting the functionality of the interior with what it claims is a ‘class-leading’ amount of in-cab stowage.

In the rear, the Ford Transit Custom is highly likely to be able to accommodate whatever you want to put in it because it has one of the largest cubic volumes of any medium-sized van. The short-wheelbase standard roof van has six square metres and the long-wheelbase high roof has 8.3 square metres.

Its load-carrying capacity is also among the best in class thanks to a gross vehicle weight range from 2.6 tonnes to 3.4 tonnes. Maximum payload, depending on body length and height, is up to 1459kg.

The Transit Custom’s large potential operating weight also means that its payload is significantly more than rivals. It can carry 230kg more than the Volkswagen Transporter and 180kg more than a Mercedes Vito; both of these competitors are only available as 3.2-tonne vans.

Maximum load length is 2554mm for the short-wheelbase version and 2921mm for the long wheelbase. Standard height vans are 1406mm tall, and there’s an additional 370mm in high-roof models. Load width is 1775mm with 1350mm between the wheel arches.

Rear doors open to 180deg, but can be locked out at 90deg using a special hinge, while a single side-loading door with an opening of 1030mm is standard on all vans and there’s the option to add a second side door on the driver’s side.

Safety features include forward collision prevention and a rear blind spot assistance system called Cross Traffic Assist. It uses the rear parking sensors to scan the roads to the sides of the vehicle while you back out of a parking space or driveway. It’s a simple but brilliant advancement in safety that is much needed in vans and one we’d thoroughly recommend.

If you're interested in buying a used Ford Transit Custom or any of the other vans mentioned here, check out our used cars for sale pages.

Page 1 of 5

Expect to spend between £7500 and £10,000 for an early Transit Custom, this for a van from 2013 or 2014 with an average mileage for the year. You'll need between £10,000 and £12,000 for one from 2015 or 2016, depending on size etc., and think on budgeting between £13,000 and £15,000 on a van from 2017 or 2018, and over £20,000 on the last 2019 models. Spend more on the larger double-cab Transit Customs, or Kombis, or those with lower mileages. Post-facelift Customs start at around £20,000, and you'll need between £20,000 and £25,000 for 2021 vans and upwards of £30,000 for 2022 models.

According to official figures, the 104bhp van returns a claimed 45.6mpg, and the range-topping 168bhp isn’t far behind with 43.5mpg. However, you’re unlikely to achieve either of these figures in the real world, so we wouldn’t let fuel economy dictate any purchasing decision.

Of the post-2019 vans, according to official figures, the 104bhp van returns up to 39.8mpg, while the top-of-the-range 182bhp version is almost as efficient, managing 39.2mpg. If you’re interested in the best fuel economy, though, you’ll want to opt for the mild hybrid, which returns up to 40.9mpg on the combined cycle.

Servicing of the later 2.0 engine is required only every two years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. All Customs get a three-year, 100,000-mile-warranty from new.

Our choice would be the 128bhp engine as it’s a good compromise on performance and economy, and it allows you the choice of all trim levels except Sport. In contrast, the 104bhp engine is only offered with Base and Trend trim levels, while Sport is exclusive to the 168bhp engine.

Trend trim should be sufficient for most buyers, but if you want a few extra gadgets and the connectivity afforded by Sync 3, Limited is probably worth the premium. If you’ll be using the van to tow, we’d also recommend adding the rear-view camera with Trailer Hitch Assist.

Our favourite Ford Transit Custom: 2.0 130 Trend

The VW Transporter is a very versatile and high-quality van. With short and long wheelbases, standard, medium and high roof heights and four trim levels, the 2016-2019 T6 is understandably known as a versatile model with hundreds of different configurations and options.

The Vauxhall Vivaro is one of the best-selling vans in the UK. A recent change in ownership to the French PSA Group has meant radical changes for the Vauxhall Vivaro, but they're changes that have made it a much better, well-rounded van. An enormous payload, a wide range of choices and excellent fuel economy are, however, compromised by a compact interior.

If you're interested in buying a used Transit Custom, or any of the other vans mentioned here, check out our used cars for sale pages.

For all the latest van reviews, news, advice, and videos visit our dedicated van section here