RENAULT EXTRA1988 · 1.6L DIESEL

The most recent MOT record dates from 31 March 2006, meaning this Renault Extra has held no valid roadworthiness certificate for approximately twenty years as of June 2026. The 2006 pass at 129,289 miles was clean, with zero defects recorded, but the preceding failure on 30 March 2006 at 129,287 miles reveals a pattern of deferred maintenance rather than proactive upkeep. The tester flagged an insecure offside headlamp, a non-functioning rear stop lamp and registration plate lamp, excessive play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint, and an offside front tyre worn below the 1.6mm legal minimum. These are not isolated cosmetic issues. A loose track rod end directly affects steering precision and tyre wear, while a tyre worn past the legal limit suggests basic safety-critical checks were neglected. The mileage increased by just two miles between the failure and the pass the following day, indicating the vehicle likely sat stationary while repairs were carried out rather than being actively used. The recorded mileage of 129,289 miles across approximately 38 years equates to roughly 3,402 miles per year, which is exceptionally low for a commercial van of this age. The MOT history, however, is sparse. Only two tests are documented, both occurring on consecutive days in March 2006. There is no evidence of continuous annual testing, and the absence of any subsequent MOT record raises serious questions about whether this vehicle has been used on the road at all since 2006. A vehicle standing idle for two decades presents its own risks: perished rubber hoses, deteriorated brake seals, corroded fuel lines, and structural corrosion in subframes, sills, and brake lines are all highly probable even at this modest mileage. A buyer inspecting this vehicle in person should treat it as unroadworthy until proven otherwise. The 2006 failure flagged a worn track rod end ball joint and a bald front tyre, so the entire steering and suspension assembly must be examined for play, cracking bushes, and seized components. Brake calipers, discs, hoses, and the handbrake mechanism demand close scrutiny after two decades of potential standing. The chassis, floor pans, wheel arches, and suspension mounting points should be probed for corrosion, particularly given the age of the vehicle. Tyres, even if they appear to have tread, will almost certainly be perished and unsafe. The lighting defects noted in 2006 may have been resolved, but all electrical systems, including stop lamps and registration plate lamps, should be tested. This is a vehicle that requires a thorough mechanical inspection before any consideration of use on public roads.