2017 Citroen Relay 2.2L Diesel · DC66 RCX

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT test on 2026-04-13, but the inspection record reveals a gradually worsening pattern of advisories and minor defects that warrants careful attention. Across the past four tests, three recurring advisory themes have emerged consistently: brake disc wear (pitted or scored on all corners), light oil misting from the front shock absorbers, and various suspension and drivetrain wear items. The 2022 test additionally flagged play in the steering rack inner joint, a deteriorated nearside front CV boot, and wear in the offside front lower suspension arm rear bush. While each of these defects on their own was not deemed severe enough to cause failure, their repetition year after year indicates that the underlying wear is progressing rather than being rectified. The 2024 test stands out as unusually clean, which could reflect either a pre-test rectification effort or the natural quiet period between component failure points. The overall trajectory suggests a working vehicle receiving minimal preventative maintenance, with advisories accumulating as consumables reach the end of their effective service life. With 277,099 miles accumulated over approximately nine years, this Citroen Relay has averaged around 30,789 miles per year, which is substantially above typical private car usage and consistent with sustained commercial or fleet operation. There are no significant gaps in the MOT record that would suggest prolonged standing, and the high annual mileage means that mechanical components have been subjected to continuous working stress. Such usage rates place above-average demand on the clutch, dual-mass flywheel (if manual), turbocharger (if diesel), engine mounts, transmission mounts, and the entire braking system, including discs, pads, calipers, and associated slide pins. The fact that the vehicle has covered this mileage while still passing MOTs is encouraging, but a buyer should expect that major drivetrain components will be closer to the end of their design life than the modest nine-year age would otherwise suggest. For a prospective buyer, the recurring brake disc advisories should prompt a thorough physical inspection of the front and rear discs for lipping, excessive runout, and scoring depth, as pitted discs will continue to wear and may soon exceed the 2mm minimum thickness threshold, at which point replacement becomes mandatory. Listen during a test drive for brake shudder under heavy application or any pulsation through the pedal, which would indicate disc distortion. The shock absorber oil misting noted on three consecutive MOTs is also a concern; while light misting alone is not a failure, it suggests seal degradation that will progress, leading to reduced damping efficiency, longer stopping distances, and compromised ride stability, particularly under load or on uneven surfaces. On the road, any wallowing behaviour, excessive nose dive under braking, or rear-end squat during acceleration would indicate that the dampers have deteriorated beyond their advisory state. The 2022 advisories regarding steering rack inner joint play, CV boot deterioration, and lower suspension arm bushes are particularly significant given the mileage, and any recurrence or worsening of these should be investigated by placing the vehicle on a ramp for a hands-on inspection. Check for CV grease loss around the boot and listen for clicking on full-lock turns, which would indicate joint failure. Inspect all visible rubber bushes for cracking, splitting, or excessive movement when leveraged, and pay close attention to any play in the steering that transmits as vagueness or knocking through the wheel. Beyond the recorded advisories, a buyer should also verify the age and condition of the timing belt and cambelt service interval, as these are critical on high-mileage diesel vans and overdue replacement can result in catastrophic engine damage. Check the 12V battery health, look for standing corrosion around suspension mounting points, inspect all tyres for both tread depth and sidewall cracking given the working environment typical of such vehicles, and confirm the service history stamps align with the high recorded mileage, particularly regarding gearbox oil, differential fluid (if applicable), coolant, and brake fluid renewals, all of which degrade with calendar age as well as use.