Ford Transit and Transit Custom with a 2,490 kg MAM - avoiding the tachograph requirement

The EU Mobility Package has changed the rules for companies carrying out international transport with vans in the European Union. From 1 July 2026, a tachograph is required for the international carriage of goods when the maximum authorised mass of the vehicle or the complete vehicle combination exceeds 2.5 tonnes. In practice, this brings some vans of up to 3.5 tonnes within rules that previously applied mainly to heavier commercial transport.

The market responded immediately. As the threshold starts above 2.5 tonnes, vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of 2,490 kg have appeared. A van with this rating formally remains below the threshold, so it does not require a tachograph when driven without a trailer. It is not, however, a magic way to transport goods without restrictions. Reducing the authorised mass has one direct consequence: fewer kilograms remain for the legal payload.

Image source: ITS System

Ford Transit body for lightweight loads

The vehicle that attracted the most attention is a full-size Ford Transit with an over-cab sleeper pod, colloquially known as a pigeon loft, and a dropside body with a curtain cover. It looks like a conventional van used on international routes, but its maximum authorised mass has been reduced to below 2.5 tonnes. This allows the vehicle to remain outside the tachograph requirement, provided it is not combined with a trailer that takes the complete combination above the threshold.

The figures matter most. The Transit described here has space for six Euro pallets, but its legal payload is approximately 350 kg. This shows that it is not intended for conventional pallet transport. One heavier pallet could use the entire available weight allowance. Such a vehicle only makes sense for light, bulky goods, including packaging, empty containers, lightweight plastic components, advertising materials or low-weight consignments.

Image source: ITS System

Transit Custom as an official Ford Pro conversion

The second example is a Ford Transit Custom Van with a reduced maximum authorised mass. This solution has officially joined the Ford Pro range as an approved conversion prepared by Carpol, which holds Ford Pro Convertor status. The van can be based on the L1 or L2 body and is available with 110, 136 or 150 PS versions of the 2.0 EcoBlue engine and a manual gearbox.

The Transit Custom is smaller than the full-size Transit, but this configuration is more practical. In L2 form, the load compartment can accommodate up to three Euro pallets, while the lightest version may offer a payload of approximately 550 kg. It is still not a van for heavy cargo, but for light distribution work, parcels and packaging it may be a more sensible choice than a large six-pallet body with almost no remaining weight allowance.

Image source: Ford / Ford Pro

What is the catch?

The catch is straightforward: weight. A vehicle below 2.5 tonnes may not require a tachograph, but it must still remain within its own maximum authorised mass. The driver, fuel, equipment, bodywork, spare wheel, tools and cargo all count towards the vehicle's weight. The more elaborate the conversion, the less capacity remains for the goods.

The trailer must also be considered. The EU rules refer to the vehicle or the combination of vehicles. If the van is coupled to a trailer and the combination exceeds the 2.5-tonne threshold, its legal position may change. A tachograph-free version therefore only makes sense when the company genuinely controls the cargo weight and knows exactly what it is carrying.

Engine oil D 0W30 5L Ford Castrol Magnatec Professional

Front grille Ford Transit 2019 Trail

Complete timing belt set Ford Transit 2.0 TDCI Custom 2016 EcoBlue

Mud flap set Ford Transit 2014 Trateo

Is a Transit like this worth choosing?

Yes, but only for a specific type of work. A Ford Transit or Transit Custom with a reduced maximum authorised mass can be a useful tool for companies carrying lightweight goods on international routes within the EU. It suits operators that need load volume but do not use the full payload of a conventional 3.5-tonne van.

It is not a universal replacement for a standard van. With heavier pallets, unpredictable loads or work for any available customer, the risk of overloading will be very high. In those circumstances, a conventional Transit equipped with a tachograph may be the less complicated and safer solution.

Summary: Ford Transit with a 2,490 kg MAM

The Ford Transit and Transit Custom with a 2,490 kg maximum authorised mass are a response to the new EU rules, but they do not overcome the laws of physics. Formally, such a vehicle may operate without a tachograph where the applicable conditions are met and the 2.5-tonne threshold is not exceeded. In technical terms, however, it demands strict discipline when planning every load.

The main conclusion is simple: the larger the body, the less usable payload remains. Before buying, a company must therefore calculate not only the number of Euro pallets but, above all, the kilograms. Otherwise, a van without a tachograph can quickly become a van with no legal payload margin.

If you operate a Ford Transit in your business, regular servicing remains essential regardless of its maximum authorised mass. Our shop offers parts for the Ford Transit, including service items, suspension, braking and body components, as well as accessories for vans used in daily work.