2017 Mercedes-Benz Citan 1.5L Diesel · AX66 HNF

The defining mechanical concern on this Mercedes-Benz Citan centres squarely on the braking system, with the January 2025 test recording both rear inner brake discs as dangerous, defined by the inspector as seriously weakened, alongside a later advisory for rear inner brake pads wearing thin and rear discs worn, pitted or scored. That same test also flagged low coolant, suggesting the braking deterioration was not isolated but accompanied by cooling system attention. A retest four days later on 20 January 2025 passed, and the 28 March 2024 test had also passed, but the recurrence of disc scoring within a short interval, combined with a minor nearside front indicator insecurity and front windscreen chipping now recurring into 2026, indicates a pattern of wearing consumables and minor electrical/glass defects rather than a clean structural record. The most recent pass on 19 January 2026 carried no brake advisories, but the spate of tyre, wheel and windscreen minor defects on that date points to ongoing kerb and road debris exposure, with the spare wheel recorded as having significant sidewall cracking and being flat, and the offside rear tyre described as having been run flat and showing sidewall damage. Against a nine-year build age, the recorded 56,543 miles equates to roughly 6,283 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a small van of this type and suggests reasonably consistent rather than sporadic use. The MOT record shows tests in 2024, two attempts in January 2025, and two attempts in January 2026, with no multi-year gaps that would suggest long-term standing, so components such as the brake calipers, suspension bushes and underbody sealing are unlikely to have suffered from prolonged inactivity. That said, the mileage is not low enough to discount wear on the typical commercial vehicle hot-spots, particularly the rear brake discs which appear to be a known weak point on this chassis based on the recorded defects, and the front suspension given the kerbed wheel and tyre damage noted in the latest test. A prospective buyer should treat the rear braking system as the primary inspection priority. On a test drive, listen for any binding, judder or pulsing through the brake pedal under firm application, particularly from cold, as both inner discs were previously recorded as weakened, and check whether the handbrake holds the vehicle on an incline without creeping, as worn rear discs frequently accompany compromised caliper or handbrake mechanism function. The front nearside inner wheel has been flagged with rim distortion on consecutive tests, so a slow-speed pass over uneven surfaces should be used to feel for vibration through the steering wheel, and the nearside front indicator should be checked for any looseness in its housing as it was recorded as insecure in 2025. The spare wheel situation requires immediate attention before any further mileage is undertaken, as it is recorded as having a cracked sidewall and being flat, which means there is effectively no usable spare in the event of a roadside puncture, and the offside rear tyre shows evidence of having been run flat, so a close inspection of the offside rear inner sidewall for bulges, cracking or exposed cord is warranted along with a check of the other three tyres for age-related perishing given the vehicle's road debris exposure. Coolant level should be verified at the expansion tank with the engine cold, looking for any evidence of staining around the water pump area, and the front windscreen should be inspected around the existing chip to ensure it has not propagated, as a chip in the driver's primary viewing area will become a failure once it exceeds 10mm in diameter. Finally, the offside front mirror housing damage recorded across the 2025 and 2026 tests should be confirmed as purely cosmetic and not obscuring any part of the mirror glass, as this could itself become a future failure item.