2012 Renault Trafic 2.0L Diesel · EO12 CNN

A pattern of front-end drive line and suspension wear dominates the mechanical history of this Trafic. Across the recorded MOTs, two separate offside front constant velocity boot splits have been flagged as Major defects, the most recent on 21 August 2024 causing a Dangerous failure alongside an illegal tyre, before the vehicle was presented again the following day and passed with no defects recorded. The rear axle has not escaped attention either, with an offside rear coil spring recorded as fractured on 27 August 2021. Suspension geometry advisories also appear repeatedly: both front anti-roll bar linkage ball joints and the nearside front wheel bearing were noted with play and slight noise in 2019, the nearside front shock absorber showed light oil misting in 2023, and both front MacPherson strut top mounts were reported with slight play at the same test. The most recent pass on 22 August 2024 is therefore best interpreted as a clean baseline following prompt rectification rather than evidence of a fundamentally sound chassis. Mileage accumulation is broadly in line with expectations for a 2012 commercial of this type, averaging roughly 10,700 miles per year across its recorded life. There are no multi-year gaps that would suggest extended standing, which removes the usual concerns around seized calipers, deteriorated brake fluid, and discharged battery condition that affect laid-up vans. Conversely, the steady annual mileage means the usual commercial vehicle consumables, brake pads, discs, tyres, and front suspension components have been worked consistently rather than spared. With 150,390 miles now showing, the clutch, dual-mass flywheel if fitted, injector seals, and turbocharger-related items on the diesel engine are at an age where wear cannot be ruled out from MOT data alone. A prospective buyer should give particular attention to the offside front driveline on a test drive. Listen for any sharp clicking or knocking from the offside front wheel when turning at low speed, indicative of CV joint wear that often follows a perished boot, and visually inspect the offside front inner and outer CV gaiters for fresh grease contamination or splits, as two failures of this exact component within three years point to a recurring vulnerability rather than a one-off. On a test drive over uneven surfaces, pay attention to clonks or structural thuds from the rear axle, which could indicate the fractured coil spring recorded in 2021 has effectively been replaced but left the offside spring seat or damper with residual wear. Brake pedal feel should be firm and progressive, with no judder under braking that would suggest warped front discs given the mileage, and the nearside rear pads previously flagged as thin should be confirmed as recently renewed with substantial material remaining. The 2019 advisories on the anti-roll bar linkages and the nearside front wheel bearing, combined with the 2023 MacPherson strut top mount play, warrant a specific road test for front-end precision. Push the van briskly into a series of tight direction changes and listen for clonking from the front suspension, feel for vagueness through the steering wheel, and check for any knocking over speed bumps that would suggest worn top mounts or droplink bushes have progressed. Inspect the front tyres for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear, which on a Trafic of this mileage often points to worn suspension geometry components rather than alignment alone. Finally, check the underside for any corrosion on the front subframe, brake pipes, and rear axle components, as commercial vans of this vintage frequently suffer from underfloor rust that the MOT records do not always capture. A full pre-purchase inspection on a ramp remains the prudent course of action before committing to a vehicle with this mileage and component history.