This is a review of one of our Ford Transit 17seat Minibus Stock items: A Mark 6 (MK6, 2001 onwards; mark 7 – 2006 model with headlight facelift and gearstick on dash), 90PS 17 seater.
On an 04 plate with 65000 miles. This is the entry model BHP, a 125 and 135 6 speed also being available.
The Review
The Ford Transit Van won international Van of the year in 2001, as did its offspring the super face lifted Mark 7 (MK7).
Indeed the Ford Transit 17 seat minibus has to be one of the best value minibuses on the UK market for money and reliability: it’s cheaper than a Mercedes or Volkswagen and doesn’t rust like the LDV. If you’re reading this article you’ll probably agree there’s a place for those 17 seat minibuses mentioned above but for middle of the road value, reliability and maintenance the Ford Transit 17 seat bus has a lot to offer.
Fortunately 2004 saw the electric windows and mirrors (and digital odometer) introduced to the range, so 3 or 4 years overdue you can wave goodbye to manual windows. The Cab is fairly user friendly, with everything being where it should be, although a CD player would have been nice a bit earlier.
It has a good ventilation system that has easy to use controls. They are positioned high up in the dashboard allowing more room for the radio cassette player audio system and added storage for drinks, documents and mobile phones..
This was a one-owner bus with full service history so there were no rattles, squeaks or bangs that you find with the LDV (which shares its engine and box).
Among the problems we’ve come across are prop-shaft universal joint, wiring loom corrosion and sliding window mechanisms all of which may sound like a nightmare but are fairly easy to fix if you know where to go. The biggest issue we’d have is the cost of the replacement trims that you need from time to time on the second hand stuff. As it’s a fairly rare thing to find in a breaker’s yard, original bits from a Ford Transit 17 seat minibus can occasionally be a bit steep for what they are: £100 for the plastic trim panel for the side loading door step (which always breaks): You can get a full front bumper for a Vivaro for around £120, and the Strip light (about 2 inches long) £26 (+ VAT)
At the end of the day you’ll always get nightmare stories about cars, vans and minibuses; quite often this will be because the person has expectations for a commercial vehicle that would have for a car or expectations for a 6 year old vehicle that you would have for a new one.
A common expenditure is to have a Certificate of Initial Fitness(COIF) and a Public Service Vehicle(PSV) test done, and a digital or analogue tachograph fitted, this is to allow the vehicle to be used for Hire and Reward when carrying more than 8 passengers, this isn’t required for charities or where the driver isn’t paid for his time. So make allowances for this expense when buying a 17 seat minibus, if possible buy one with the test already done and tacho fitted to save on money and hassle. Please give us a call if you would like us to PSV ready a bus for you.
Overall, even though it does have a few issues, the vehicle, is easy to handle and pleasant to drive, more like a car than a 17 seat minibus. The ABS braking system that comes standard in all models is responsive and the handling is somewhat nimble for the class of vehicle, made even better by the traction control on the more powerful 115PS models and above. The ride is comfortable and the steering system responds reliably.
This Minibus would place well amongst the best driving 17 seat minibuses currently on the market. The exterior of this minibus isn't beautiful but it also isn't an eyesore by any means. It sports a sleek, sloped font end that is somewhat sporty looking but also adds to the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The high roofline means lots of headroom for people moving about in the cabin. The wheelbase of this vehicle is well set, balancing the vehicle well on the tires, these accounts for a goodly portion of the vehicles handling prowess for the class of vehicle it is. This 17 seat minibus isn't likely to turn heads or even catch an eye, unless you're waiting for a ride on it. It is for all intents and purposes a nicely designed utilitarian vehicle that offers quality, comfort and durability. What more could you ask for from a minibus of this nature?
If you buy a Ford Transit 17 seat Minibus, you’re not making a bad investment, you’ll get a good residual if you ever want to sell it on, and you’ll be pretty unlucky if you get any serious mechanical or electrical failures. It’s a great vehicle: it will get you from A to B safely, reliably and cheaply.
Follow this link if you’re looking to buy a ‘Ford Transit 17 seat minibus’ or ‘PSV minibus’.
Follow the links for other School Minibus or for all PSV Minibus.

Overall 8/10