1998 Renault Safrane 2.4L Petrol · 222 FJB

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a persistent trend of progressive surface corrosion and unaddressed mechanical wear. The most recent test in December 2025 at 63,081 miles flagged ongoing issues including play in the offside steering rack inner joint and corrosion across all suspension arms and subframes. While the car passes, the recurring nature of these advisories over several years suggests a reactive approach to repairs where only the minimum required to satisfy the tester is performed rather than addressing the underlying degradation of the components. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 28-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 2,253 miles per year. There is a significant gap in records between December 2013 at 61,479 miles and January 2015 at 62,719 miles, followed by very slow annual usage recorded thereafter. This suggests the car sat for long periods, which explains the advanced state of rubber-based components such as the deteriorated CV boots noted in 2019 and the perishing/cracking tyres identified in the December 2025 test. A buyer must conduct a thorough inspection of the structural integrity of the subframes and suspension mounting points as the tester has noted corrosion in these areas every year since 2021. The steering rack shows consistent play in the inner joints that has remained unresolved for five years, which will eventually require replacement to maintain steering precision. Additionally, the braking system has a history of binding calipers on both the front and rear, likely caused by seized pistons or rusted sliders due to low mileage and infrequent use. The exhaust system is also in a state of terminal decay, with leaks and heavy corrosion documented since at least 2015.