2015 Citroen Berlingo 1.6L Diesel · PN65 ABF

A 2015 Citroen Berlingo carrying just under fifty thousand miles on the odometre presents a notably sparse DVSA record, with only three pass entries visible against two failures that are curiously logged with no defects recorded. The most recent pass on 17 April 2025 follows a same-day fail on 16 April 2025, a pattern mirrored almost exactly a year earlier when the vehicle passed on 22 April 2024 immediately after failing on the same date. While the absence of recorded advisory items is superficially reassuring, the inability to see what triggered those failures is a meaningful gap in the history, as the vehicle was clearly rejected for something substantive enough to warrant a re-test rather than a straightforward pass. Overall, the trend appears neutral to improving given that the most recent outcome is a clean pass, but the duplicate test dates suggest an ongoing pattern of borderline presentation at annual inspection rather than consistent, comfortable roadworthiness. The annual mileage accumulation of roughly 4,541 miles per year is exceptionally low for an eleven year old commercial-derived vehicle, and the recorded figure of 49,948 miles implies predominantly light, short-duration use. This kind of usage profile typically produces different mechanical concerns than high-mileage wear; the priority on a Berlingo of this age and mileage is less about component exhaustion and more about degradation through disuse. Rubber and polymer components such as suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, drive shaft gaiters, and brake caliper slide pins suffer disproportionately from standing periods, and a low annual mileage that includes any gaps in MOT testing history is particularly relevant here. The 2023 to 2024 gap shows the vehicle was tested in consecutive years, which is helpful, but the extremely low usage between tests still warrants close inspection of seals, gaiters, and brake mechanisms for signs of binding or perishing rather than wear. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is to obtain the failure sheets for the two failed tests, as the absence of recorded defects is almost certainly an administrative oversight in the data feed rather than a literal account of what was inspected. Without that detail, a thorough physical examination becomes essential, and particular attention should be paid to the rear torsion bar suspension and rear trailing arm bushes, which are common failure points on the Berlingo platform and can pass MOT scrutiny on one visit yet fail on the next if deterioration crosses a threshold between tests. On a test drive, listen carefully for clonks or thuds from the rear axle over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, and pay attention to any vagueness or wandering from the rear end under load, as these are classic indicators of worn Berlingo rear suspension components. Also check for uneven tyre wear across an axle, which on this vehicle often points to geometry issues stemming from compromised bushes rather than alignment alone. Given the very low mileage and the vehicle's age, the braking system deserves careful physical inspection even though the MOT history shows no recorded advisories. The handbrake mechanism on Berlingos of this generation is prone to seizing when used infrequently, so the cable, caliper mechanisms, and rear drum or disc assemblies should be examined for free operation and even pad contact. Listen during a low-speed test drive for any grinding, squealing, or binding sensation, and confirm that the vehicle rolls freely in neutral when pushed. With such limited annual use, it would also be prudent to check the condition and age of the battery, confirm that the cooling system has been refreshed within the last few years to prevent internal corrosion, and verify that the clutch take-up is firm rather than hesitant, as lightly driven clutches can develop hydraulic issues from prolonged standing. A pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with the Berlingo platform would be a sensible investment given the unusual failure pattern and the limited information available from the MOT record itself.