2012 CITROEN DS31.6L Petrol

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a recent shift toward reactive rather than proactive upkeep. While the most recent test in February 2026 at 70,985 miles was a pass, the tester identified thin front brake pads, pitted brake discs, and a deteriorated front exhaust flexible pipe. These issues, following a failure in February 2024 regarding a loose exhaust silencer, suggest that components are only being addressed once they approach failure thresholds or legal limits. The mileage profile is notably low for a 14-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 5,070 miles per year. The record shows consistent, low-distance usage between 2017 and 2022, where several tests returned no recorded defects. However, the low mileage appears to correlate with age-related degradation of rubber components. Advisories for tyre cracking and perishing across multiple years from 2014 to 2026 indicate that the rubber compounds are drying out due to age and potentially long periods of stationary use despite the low miles driven. A buyer should conduct a thorough inspection of the braking system and exhaust assembly, as the history shows a pattern of worn discs and deteriorating brackets. The recurring mentions of tyre perishing and uneven wear suggest the suspension geometry should be checked for alignment issues or bushes that may have perished. Given the deteriorated flexible pipe noted in the February 2026 test, the entire exhaust run needs to be inspected for structural corrosion and mounting integrity to prevent future mechanical failures.