Custom van steering wheel wear at 40k

[Endorphinix]

Hi there folks, I'm just about to buy a transit custom, it is the trend model 2.2 dci in 2015 lwb version. It has only 40k miles on the clock but the steering wheel feels really worn for this milage it is black and silver with the controls for phone and stereo and cruise control etc on it. The gear knob finish has also worn. The pedals are good and the seats are immaculate. The other thing is that the gear stick is very light to move between the gears but clutch is not heavy at all. I am used to an old van so am not familiar enough with fords to know. The bonnet is mint with hardly any stone chips as is the body work in general and it does look quite clean underneath. Its just the wheel thats niggliing me that it has made done more Ethan it says it has. There are some photocopied service history invoices for servicing with mileages of 18k and 32 just oil changes and brake pads twice..

Just interested to know if any one else steering wheel is quite smooth for that mileage. Not spent this much on a van before so just bit wary, ( From a dealer who probably sourced from auction as previous keeper is a good 500 miles away.

[Altransit]

Two sets of pads in that mileage says to me that it's done a lot of short run, stop-start driving, so it will have also had a lot of wheel use for turning corners and roundabouts, so more wear on the wheel than in straight ahead motorway use

May be worth trying to contact the previous owner

[moley551]

My steering wheel at 80k miles still looks the same as it did when it was new. Front and rear pads are both about 50% and it's the 2nd rear set and 3rd front set, that's on a max weight van around Cornwall.

[Endorphinix]

Thanks guys, I'll have a look at the garage, It looks like it was a builders van by the condition of the rear which is a stark contrast to the mint exterior and cab!

[Gazz173]

Done 50k (3 years) in mine and the gear knob is worn smooth and leather is worn at the top of the steering wheel. Everything else looks new and still on original pads.

[bigjohnthomas]

Fook mines on 64k now it looks like a tramps nest
Its got wee stains on the drivers seat empty spesh brew cans on the floor jazz mags in the overhead storage area and strange sticki stuff on the steering wheel and gear nob
Bloody ford

[cycleguy]

There is no shortage of secondhand vans out there I would steer well clear of that particular Van Myself.