2003 Iveco Daily 2.8L Diesel · VX03 AOU

The 2026-08-03 test resulted in a pass at 162,497 miles, but only after a same-day failure on a rear fog lamp and headlamp aim. The underlying picture remains poor: the tester recorded cracking and perishing on all four offside front suspension arm bushes, binding on the offside rear service brake, wear in the nearside rear upper anti-roll bar linkage, and brake fluid sitting close to the minimum mark. These advisories mirror the excessive binding and significantly worn disc found on that same offside rear corner in February 2022, the excessively binding caliper flagged in May 2025, and the snapped handbrake cable of March 2023. Suspension wear has shifted from the rear anti-roll bar 'D' bushes — excessively worn in 2023 — to the front arm bushes and a rear linkage now. The maintenance trend is not improving; chronic braking and suspension faults are being managed rather than resolved. Mileage accumulation has slowed to roughly 5,000 miles per year since 2022, covering 5,660 miles between the May 2024 test at 156,893 miles and the August 2026 test. A notable gap exists between the April 2023 test at 156,636 miles and the May 2024 test, suggesting limited use or a period off the road. The 2025 test at 161,193 miles shows only 4,300 miles covered in the preceding 13 months. Low mileage on a 23-year-old commercial chassis often masks deterioration caused by standing, particularly for brake hydraulics and rubber suspension components. A buyer must inspect the offside rear brake assembly thoroughly: the caliper, disc, pads and handbrake mechanism have generated failures or advisories at every test since 2022. The front suspension arm bushes require immediate renewal given the "cracking and perishing" description across all four mounts. Rear anti-roll bar linkages and 'D' bushes remain a weak point despite previous attention. Chassis corrosion at the outriggers and jacking points was flagged as structural in 2018 and 2019; while not re-tested recently, the original rot will not have healed. The persistent oil leak noted from 2017 through 2023, combined with the current low brake fluid level, demands a full under-bonnet and under-body fluid trace before purchase.