2014 CITROEN DS52.0L DIESEL

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a reactive approach to repairs rather than preventative care. While the most recent test in April 2026 at 93,176 miles passed, the tester flagged an offside ball joint boot that is starting to split. This follows a pattern of rubber-component degradation seen in previous years. The overall trend remains stable in terms of passing the test, but the record suggests that suspension and drivetrain components are only addressed once they show clear signs of imminent failure. The mileage profile is consistent with a twelve-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 7,765 miles per year. Between May 2023 at 87,161 miles and May 2024 at 90,015 miles, the car covered only 2,854 miles, indicating a period of lower usage. However, the mileage increased significantly by 3,161 miles between April 2024 and April 2026. This fluctuation in usage often leads to dry-rot cracking, which accelerates the wear on rubber boots and mechanical joints. A buyer should closely inspect the front suspension assembly during a physical evaluation. The 2024 failure revealed an excessively worn offside lower arm ball joint and a leaking CV boot, followed by a perished track rod end boot in 2025. Given that a new ball joint boot is already splitting as of 2026, the front suspension components are likely reaching the end of their service life. The exhaust system should also be checked to ensure the major leak noted in 2024 was properly rectified rather than merely patched. Finally, the cloudy nearside headlamp lens should be monitored for further degradation to ensure adequate light output at night.