1987 Renault Trafic 2.0L Petrol · D926 HOW

The most recent examination on 30 August 2025 resulted in a pass, but it was accompanied by a dangerous advisory concerning extensive corrosion across the van's structure, with underseal noted to be soft in places. While a pass was secured, this advisory is a serious indicator of underlying structural degradation in a vehicle of this age and warrants immediate professional inspection before purchase. The maintenance trend across the recent history is demonstrably worsening; the 2025 pass followed a fail in August 2025 for lighting and electrical faults, which in turn came after a fail in April 2024 for wiper, washer, and rear fog lamp defects. Earlier still, the February 2023 test recorded major failures for imbalanced rear brakes, reduced headlamp intensity, and most critically, excessively corroded brake pipework from front to rear and a corroded rear suspension mounting compromising structural integrity. The accumulation of recurring advisories for front brake disc wear, steering rack play, anti-roll bar ball joint play, and pervasive corrosion of brake lines confirms a pattern of progressive decline rather than stable upkeep. With a recorded mileage of 65,692 miles over approximately 39 years, the vehicle has averaged around 1,684 miles annually, which is exceptionally low and strongly suggests prolonged periods of standing interspersed with limited use. Low annual mileage of this nature often masks wear because components suffer more from disuse and age-related degradation than from mechanical fatigue. The advisories and failures recorded are consistent with this profile; standing leads to oxidisation of brake discs and caliper seizure, perishing of rubber components such as fuel caps, wiper blades, and battery leads, and accelerated corrosion of ferrous underbody parts in the absence of regular washing. The 2025 advisory describing the van as heavily corroded in parts, under sealed and soft in parts, is entirely congruent with a vehicle that has spent extended periods stationary and exposed to the elements. Any prospective buyer must treat the brake and suspension systems as the foremost priority. The recorded failures and advisories for imbalanced rear braking, pitted and scored front discs, steering rack inner joint play, and corroded brake pipework from front to rear collectively demand a thorough physical inspection. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the front suspension, particularly over bumps, which would suggest worn anti-roll bar joints or bushes, and pay close attention to brake pedal feel, as any sponginess or excessive travel would indicate compromised brake pipes or caliper issues requiring immediate rectification. Uneven tyre wear, particularly on the inner or outer edges, would point to worn suspension components or steering rack deterioration, while pulling to one side under braking could confirm the imbalance previously flagged. Given the dangerous corrosion advisory, the vehicle should ideally be placed on a ramp for a close visual examination of the chassis rails, outriggers, spring mounts, and load-bearing floor pans to assess whether structural integrity has been compromised beyond economic repair. Beyond the brake and suspension concerns, the electrical system warrants close scrutiny following the August 2025 failures for insecure battery, inoperative rear position lamps, and faulty direction indicators. The battery itself, given the calendar age of the vehicle, should be checked for its state of charge and date of manufacture, as lead-acid batteries typically require replacement every four to six years regardless of use. The fuel system should be inspected for the perished fuel cap seal noted in 2024 and checked for the oil leak flagged in 2025, ensuring no residue is present on the engine block or sump. Tyres, despite presumably low wear, should be examined for sidewall cracking and perishing due to age, a common issue on vehicles of this vintage. Given the low usage, all fluids including engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and fuel should be regarded as time-expired rather than mileage-expired, and a full service with documented brake fluid replacement is strongly advised. Finally, the headlamp reflectors have been flagged for corrosion and reduced output across multiple tests; check for adequate night-time illumination and consider restoration of the reflector bowls to ensure roadworthiness and safety.