1997 Same 2SPD Diesel · P453 GNB

The 1997 SAME 2SPD presents a mixed maintenance picture following its most recent MOT on 3 February 2026. While the vehicle passed that inspection, the tester flagged two notable advisories that signal a shift from the clean bills of health recorded in 2022, 2023, and January 2025. A deteriorating wooden floor and corrosion requiring minor welding attention nearside on a load-bearing outrigger represent the first structural concerns to appear in this recorded history. These defects fall under load containment and chassis integrity, areas that demand close attention on a commercial vehicle of this age. The trend is therefore stable to slightly worsening, moving from a period of consistent defect-free testing toward emerging structural wear that a buyer must investigate thoroughly before purchase. The mileage data provided is insufficient to establish a reliable service pattern or assess annual accumulation against the vehicle's age. No recorded mileage figures accompany any of the listed test entries, making it impossible to determine whether the truck has covered high or low distances, or whether gaps in usage might explain the sudden appearance of corrosion-related advisories. A buyer should request a documented service history, tachograph records, or previous repair invoices to fill this gap and verify genuine condition beyond the MOT outcomes alone. The February 2026 advisories centre on the wooden floor and a corroded nearside outrigger with welding attention needed. On a tipper or platform truck of this vintage, wooden floors degrade through load impact, moisture ingress, and rot, eventually compromising the ability to carry or contain cargo safely. The outrigger corrosion and minor welding concern suggest localised structural weakness that could worsen under continued load stress. A buyer should inspect the full length of all chassis members, cross members, and outriggers for further corrosion, cracking, or previous poor-quality repairs, paying particular attention to mounting points for tipping gear and load-restraining devices. Beyond the flagged items, the clean record between November 2022 and January 2025 suggests reasonable upkeep during that period, though the October 2022 failure for inoperative obligatory marker lamps on both sides indicates a lapse in basic lighting maintenance at that time. A hands-on inspection should verify all lighting circuits, hydraulic tipping mechanisms, retaining devices, and the structural soundness of the load bed. Any fresh paint or underseal on the chassis should be treated as a potential cover for corrosion rather than evidence of care.