2008 Citroen Relay 3.0L Diesel · C9 MGM

The 2008 Citroen Relay currently holds a valid MOT that passed on 21 October 2025 at 215,318 miles, yet the maintenance pattern across the last three years reveals a worsening trend in mechanical reliability. The most recent test recorded advisories for both nearside and offside front brake pads wearing thin, indicating consumable wear was already flagged. Critically, the preceding test just five days earlier on 16 October 2025 failed on four separate items including a split CV boot, a seriously leaking offside rear shock absorber, thin front brake pads, and a parking brake operating below the required efficiency threshold. This cluster of defects suggests deferred maintenance rather than proactive upkeep. The vehicle passed cleanly in October 2024 and October 2023, meaning the current deterioration has accelerated sharply within the last twelve months. The mileage accumulation is broadly consistent with typical use for an eighteen-year-old commercial vehicle. Between October 2023 at 190,766 miles and October 2024 at 204,473 miles, the van covered roughly 13,707 miles in a year, then added approximately 10,843 miles between October 2024 and October 2025. This slight deceleration in annual mileage does not raise immediate concern, though the concentration of mechanical failures in the most recent cycle is notable given the relatively modest yearly distance. The MOT record itself is sparse, with only five tests documented across the vehicle's recent history, limiting the depth of long-term trend analysis. A buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the front braking system, as thin pads have appeared in consecutive tests and the parking brake failed its efficiency check at the October 2025 retest. The offside rear shock absorber recorded a serious fluid leak at that same failure, and no subsequent repair record confirms this was rectified before the pass five days later, so the damper unit warrants close physical examination for ongoing leakage or poor damping response. The split nearside front CV boot also demands attention; if the joint has been running contaminated, a clicking sound under load or visible play in the driveshaft would confirm the joint requires replacement rather than simply a new boot. The 2024 failure flagged a power steering leak and a missing steering rack gaiter, both of which were presumably repaired given the clean pass later that month, yet a buyer should still check the rack for uneven assistance, fluid residue around the gaiter area, and any corrosion on the steering components. Given the commercial nature of the Relay, an underbody inspection for structural corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points, brake lines, and the exhaust system, is essential before committing to purchase.