2019 Renault Trafic 1.6L Diesel · FB19 VLN

The 2019 Renault Trafic presents a stable and improving maintenance trend as of its most recent MOT. The June 2025 test at 109,544 miles passed cleanly with zero defects, a marked improvement over the failure recorded just weeks prior in August 2024 at 107,340 miles. That failure flagged three distinct issues: an inoperative offside registration plate lamp, excessive play in the offside track rod end ball joint, and a serious fluid leak from the nearside front shock absorber. The fact that all were rectified for the subsequent August 2024 retest and remained resolved through the 2025 test suggests the previous owner addressed these defects properly rather than deferring them. The mileage pattern reveals a notable gap between July 2023 and August 2024, during which the van covered roughly 11,800 miles in just over a year, followed by a sharp slowdown to only 2,197 miles between August 2024 and June 2025. At an annualised rate of approximately 15,649 miles across its seven-year life, this is high for a light commercial vehicle of this age. Such sustained high mileage places accelerated wear on consumable components, particularly suspension bushes, brake discs, and drivetrain mounts. The sparse MOT record, with only five tests logged for a vehicle first registered in 2019, is below the expected frequency and may indicate periods of non-use or SORN status not reflected here. Buyers should focus their physical inspection on the front suspension and steering components, given the recurring pattern of wear in this area. The nearside front shock absorber leak and track rod end play both point to a front end that has endured significant stress. Check for uneven tyre wear, particularly on the inner edges, which can indicate lingering tracking or geometry issues. The anti-roll bar linkage advisories logged in both 2022 and 2023, while minor, suggest the front end bushes and ball joints have been a persistent weak point. Inspect the offside front area closely for any fresh corrosion around mounting points, and verify the operation of all exterior lamps, including the number plate lamp that failed in 2024. A test drive over rough surfaces will reveal any remaining knocks or clunks from the steering rack, track rod ends, or anti-roll bar links that may have deteriorated since the clean 2025 pass.