2009 Citroen C2 1.4L Petrol · AM58 UFC

A clear pattern of front suspension wear and a recurring windscreen washer fault dominate the mechanical history of this 2009 Citroen C2. Across the recorded tests spanning 2018 to late 2022, the front suspension components have emerged as the principal area of concern, with the nearside front suspension arm bushes flagged as worn in both 2021 entries and culminating in a major failure on 2022-10-05 when the nearside front lower suspension ball joint was deemed excessively worn. The same 2022 test also recorded an inoperative windscreen washer, mirroring an identical failure recorded exactly ten months earlier in December 2021, suggesting either an unresolved electrical or fluid delivery fault or a recurring neglect of this basic item between tests. Beyond these items, the 2019 test produced a dangerous failure for sub-1.6mm tread depth on the central front tyre and a presenter failure for an inoperative offside rear registration plate lamp, both of which point to a period of lapsed routine maintenance. The intervening advisories on exhaust gas leakage, oil seepage, and unspecified fluid leakage from 2019, alongside the worn nearside front tyre noted in 2018, round out a record that, while not catastrophically poor, does contain repeated component-specific concerns rather than a clean slate of roadworthiness. The recorded mileage of 72,960 against a 17-year vehicle age equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 4,290 miles, which is well below average for a car of this vintage and indicates either genuinely light use or extended periods of standing off the road. The earliest test in the record dates from September 2018 and the latest from October 2022, a span of four years during which the vehicle was tested almost annually, suggesting it has remained in regular use and on the road rather than being laid up for prolonged stretches. This kind of low annual mileage typically results in less wear on high-mileage consumables such as clutches, brake friction material, and drivetrain internals, but it does mean that rubber components, particularly suspension bushes, ball joints, and tyres, can deteriorate from age and standing rather than from mechanical usage, which is consistent with the front suspension advisories and failures observed in this record. The relatively modest mileage also means there is unlikely to be significant wear in the engine or gearbox internals from sustained running, though age-related degradation of seals, indicated by the oil and fluid leaks noted in 2019, remains a separate consideration. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension should be the primary focus of any inspection and test drive. With bushes flagged as worn in 2021 and a ball joint subsequently failing in 2022, it is prudent to listen carefully for clonking or knocking noises from the front end when traversing speed humps, potholes, or uneven road surfaces, and to feel for any vagueness or slackness in the steering response, particularly over broken tarmac. The offside front bushes were also flagged in 2021, so the wear pattern is likely bilateral, and a thorough inspection of both lower suspension arms, the anti-roll bar drop links, and the track rod ends is warranted, ideally with the vehicle raised so that these joints can be physically manipulated to check for play. On the road, any pulling to one side under braking, uneven tyre wear across the front axle, or a knocking transmitted through the steering wheel would warrant immediate professional assessment. The windscreen washer fault has appeared twice in quick succession, so confirming that the system actually delivers fluid to both the front and rear screens, and that the pump primes promptly when activated, is a simple but worthwhile check before purchase. The 2019 advisories relating to exhaust gas leakage, oil seepage, and an unspecified fluid leak should also be revisited; a buyer should inspect the underside of the engine and gearbox for fresh oil residue, check the exhaust joints and flexible sections for soot staining or audible blowing under load, and examine the coolant expansion tank and radiator for signs of weeping. Given the age of the vehicle, the brake fluid, coolant, and likely the cam belt or its replacement status should be verified independently, as MOT records do not record these service items. Finally, the tyres should be examined for age-related sidewall cracking and uneven shoulder wear, both consistent with the advisories recorded, and the nearside front suspension area should be given particular attention given its documented history of progressive wear.