2015 Citroen Relay 2.2L Diesel · BT65 VLP

A pattern of recurring advisory flags forms the central mechanical narrative of this 2015 Citroen Relay, with four separate failed MOTs recorded between early 2020 and late 2025 before returning to a passing status in May 2026. The earliest failure occurred on 2022-01-13 when the vehicle simply failed with no specific defect listed, followed by a series of increasingly detailed advisories including corroded front and rear park brake cables, deteriorating registration plate, misaligned headlamps, and suspension issues. After a clean pass in January 2023 and another clean result in December 2020, the vehicle experienced a return of brake-related concerns in mid-2025 with both front and rear brake discs showing pitting or scoring, alongside a slight play in the near-side front suspension arm ball joint and a requirement for front brake balancing. The most recent test on 2026-05-26 returned a pass, indicating the current condition is stable despite the historical pattern of intermittent failures. At 137,642 recorded miles on a 2015 model year vehicle places the car at approximately 12,500 miles per annum, which represents a notably high annualisation compared to typical usage patterns for a twelve-year-old car. The gap between the last failed test in 2025-05-15 and the subsequent successful test in 2026-05-26 spans roughly ten months, consistent with the elevated mileage accumulation, though the intervening period shows a steady progression through multiple warning indicators. The 2025-01-15 failure highlighted brake disc wear that did not reach critical severity but required attention, while the earlier 2025-05-15 pass noted only marginal concerns such as slight suspension bushing play and borderline brake balance requirements. The cumulative effect of these recorded issues suggests significant wear on the braking system and suspension components over the past few years, even as the vehicle managed to clear each individual MOT examination. Three specific systems demand close scrutiny during a test drive based on the documented advices. The front and rear park brake cables have shown corrosion throughout the vehicle's history, which may manifest as reduced pulling force or intermittent engagement when engaging the parking brake, particularly under cold conditions where corrosion can exacerbate the problem. The near-side front suspension arm ball joint exhibiting slight play will likely produce a distinct clunking noise or a hitching sensation over bumps, especially when the vehicle is loaded or navigating uneven surfaces. Additionally, the front brake discs showing pitting or scoring indicate that pad wear may be moderate to severe depending on the exact extent, potentially leading to reduced stopping performance or vibration felt through the steering wheel. Each of these systems should be manually inspected for visible corrosion on the cable housings, tested for smooth operation of the parking brake lever, and checked for any audible or tactile anomalies in the suspension and braking zones. Beyond the mechanical advisories, the 2026-05-26 pass confirms that the vehicle cleared its final examination with no new defects, but this does not negate the underlying work required on the identified systems. The windshield damage recorded in 2024 and 2020, while not affecting driving safety, indicates a tendency toward glass degradation that a prospective buyer should confirm is being addressed, as cracked or chipped panels can compromise visibility. Given the high mileage accumulation and the presence of recurring warnings on braking and suspension components, a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the park brake cables, suspension arm bushings, and brake disc surface condition is strongly recommended before committing to this purchase. If the parking brake feels weak or inconsistent, the suspension exhibits noticeable play, or the brake discs require resurfacing or replacement, the vehicle would benefit from having these items professionally serviced to ensure safe operation.