2009 Citroen Nemo 1.4L Diesel · AM58 NEF

A pattern of front suspension wear, brake deterioration, and chronic tyre edge wear dominates the MOT history of this 2009 Citroen Nemo, with multiple Dangerous and Major defects recorded over a seven-year testing span. The most recent test on 26 November 2025 returned a Pass, but only two weeks earlier the vehicle failed outright on severely reduced headlamp light intensity on both sides, a Dangerous offside front track rod end ball joint with serious risk of detachment, and a Dangerous nearside rear tyre below the legal 1.6mm tread limit. Earlier failures in 2020 and 2019 echo similar themes: headlamp failures on dipped beam, a split anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover, a tyre with ply or cords exposed, and an offside rear tyre cut deep enough to reach the cords. The 2018 and 2019 records also flag front brake disc wear and pitting, and a rear wheel bearing with slight play accompanied by a buckled rear wheel. This is not a vehicle with an isolated incident; it is one with a recurring pattern of component wear across steering, braking, and tyres. At 119,458 miles over 17 years, the recorded mileage averages roughly 7,027 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a light commercial-derived vehicle of this age. However, the test history reveals substantial gaps that suggest periods off the road, with no recorded tests between January 2019 and April 2020, and another large gap between March 2021 and November 2025, which is a four-and-a-half-year interval with no DVSA test data. These lay-up periods, combined with the rapid consumption of tyres and brake components seen in earlier advisories, are mechanically significant, because standing still accelerates corrosion on brake discs, dries out rubber boots on steering and suspension joints, and degrades headlamp reflector coatings. The November 2025 cluster of defects occurring in quick succession may reflect the vehicle returning to active use after a prolonged stationary period, when aged tyres and dried linkages simultaneously reach the end of their service life. A prospective buyer should focus the inspection on the specific components flagged in the record. The offside front track rod end was cited with slight play in April 2020 and then failed as Dangerous in November 2025, so on a test drive any clonking or looseness through the steering, particularly over speed bumps or during full-lock manoeuvres, warrants serious concern. Lift the front wheels and check for play in both track rod ends and the anti-roll bar linkage ball joints; the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage dust cover was already split in 2019, and perished boots accelerate joint failure. Inspect the front brake discs for lipping and the rear wheel bearing for any rumble that increases with speed, referencing the 2018 advisory. All four tyres should be measured with a tread depth indicator, paying particular attention to inner-edge wear, which has been flagged repeatedly on both front and rear axles and can indicate geometry misalignment or worn suspension bushes. Check both headlamps for output and alignment on full and dipped settings, given the repeated intensity failures, and examine the windscreen for any crack within the driver's swept area, as the November 2025 advisory notes cracking that is presently outside the critical zone but could migrate over time. Finally, confirm the buckled offside rear wheel has been replaced and verify the rear tyres are not worn on edge, as this was a recurring advisory across multiple tests.