2018 Citroen Relay 2.0L Diesel · LJ18 AEO

The Citroen Relay shows a currently roadworthy status via the MOT pass logged on 26 January 2026 at 85,354 miles, roughly six months before the present date, yet the DVSA record simultaneously lists a fail on that identical date and mileage with no defects recorded, an administrative anomaly that requires clarification from the issuing test station. Prior to that, the maintenance trend is stable and uneventful. The tests on 20 March 2023 at 78,103 miles, 20 February 2024 at 80,825 miles, 5 February 2025 at 83,178 miles, and the recent pass all returned with no advisories on brakes, suspension, steering, or structural integrity. Mileage progression relative to the eight-year age reveals a front-loaded usage profile. By the March 2023 examination the van had accumulated 78,103 miles, equating to around 15,600 miles per year from manufacture. The following intervals tell a different story. The February 2024 test added just 2,722 miles, February 2025 a further 2,353, and January 2026 only 2,176. Such low annual covering in later life points to diminished commercial duty or extended periods of inactivity, which can exacerbate rubber perishing and brake binding despite clean MOT sheets. With no recurring faults or advisories flagged across the history, the buyer should nonetheless commission a physical inspection of age-related items the MOT may not highlight. Examine chassis legs and body mounts for corrosion, assess suspension bushes and coil springs for fatigue, and measure brake disc thickness and caliper operation to rule out binding. The unexplained fail entry on 26 January 2026 necessitates a check of the vehicle's online DVSA status and V5C before funds transfer. Verify exhaust emissions integrity with a live diagnostic, given the diesel powertrain's susceptibility to DPF issues unseen in a basic test.