2004 Iveco Daily 2.3L Diesel · VX04 AAN

The most recent DVSA examination on 29 September 2025 resulted in a pass, but it should be read in the context of a fail recorded only five days earlier on 24 September 2025, where the vehicle was refused for serious brake-related deficiencies including service brake efficiency below requirements and a seized brake load sensing valve linkage. That immediate retest pass, combined with a recurring failure on 2 October 2024 for an excessively adjusted parking brake lever and a further fail on 13 October 2022 for inadequate rear service brake effort, indicates that the braking system has been an area of intermittent but persistent concern rather than a one-off issue. The advisory history from 2022 onwards shows a steadily accumulating list of rear anti-roll bar D bushes and end eye bushes with progressively noted wear, alongside recurring advisories on corrosion of the inner step reinforcement and a rear brake pipe coated in grease or corroded material. Taken together, the pattern suggests that although the vehicle is presently legal, its mechanical trend is one of slowly worsening condition, with brakes and rear suspension components requiring close scrutiny. With 130,410 miles recorded over approximately 22 years, the average annual mileage of around 5,928 miles is notably low for a commercial vehicle such as an Iveco Daily, which is typically used for heavier duty cycles. This kind of usage profile often points to long periods of standing between trips, light-duty work, or possibly extended storage, all of which carry their own mechanical consequences. Standing time tends to accelerate corrosion on brake discs, callipers, hub assemblies and underbody components, while allowing brake pads to bond slightly to the disc surface, suspension bushes to dry out and perish, and 12V battery health to degrade rapidly. Any extended gaps between MOT tests in the records should be cross-referenced with the odometer at each visit, as sudden mileage jumps could indicate intensive commercial use immediately prior to sale, whereas consistent low readings would reinforce the likelihood of prolonged inactivity. Given the recurring advisories on rear anti-roll bar D bushes and end eye bushes across multiple tests since 2022, a prospective buyer should thoroughly inspect the rear suspension on a physical inspection, paying particular attention to the condition of the anti-roll bar bushes, the drop links, and the torque and trailing arm bushes for cracking, perishing, or excessive play. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear axle over uneven surfaces, particularly when changing direction or passing over speed bumps, and feel for any vagueness or wandering from the rear end which would suggest worn bushes are beginning to affect handling geometry. The rear brake pipe noted as corroded and covered in grease should be inspected closely, as externally concealed corrosion often masks significant wall thinning and could lead to a future brake fluid leak and a subsequent MOT failure, so budget for replacement of the affected section along with a full brake fluid renewal. The seized brake load sensing valve linkage is a serious finding, as it controls brake balance under load; verify with the seller that this has been properly freed off, lubricated, and correctly adjusted, and confirm that the rear brakes now pull the vehicle up evenly without pulling to one side under firm pedal application. Beyond the recorded defects, the age and low usage of this vehicle warrant several time-based inspection items that do not necessarily show on an MOT. All four tyres were flagged as being over ten years old in 2022 and 2023, and tyre rubber degrades chemically regardless of tread depth, so sidewalls should be examined for cracking, perishing, and any signs of bulging or age-related deterioration, with replacement strongly advisable even if tread remains legal. Check the 12V battery state of charge and the condition of the terminals, as standing periods rapidly deplete and sulphate batteries, and inspect the underbody, jacking points, and inner sills carefully for advanced corrosion given the noted inner step reinforcement corrosion advisories. Verify the service book history for timely replacement of brake fluid, coolant, and gearbox and engine oils on a calendar basis rather than purely by mileage, as fluids degrade with age and a 22-year-old vehicle that has done relatively few annual miles is particularly prone to internal corrosion from neglected coolant, perished seals from old hydraulic fluid, and crankcase issues from oil that has lost its additive package. Finally, confirm that the second bonnet latch operates smoothly, as the stiff latch advisory from 2022 should have been rectified, and ensure all marker and position lamps function correctly given the earlier failure for an inoperative rear position lamp.