2016 Vauxhall Vivaro 1.6L Diesel · FD16 SLZ

The most recent DVSA examination on 21 February 2026 resulted in a Pass, but the preceding test only a week earlier on 14 February 2026 recorded a Fail with three Major defects, namely a leaking near-side front shock absorber and excessive play in both near-side and off-side track rod end ball joints, accompanied by advisories on both front inner tyres being worn close to the legal limit. This pattern indicates that the vehicle was retested very shortly after the failure once remedial work was carried out, which is positive, but the nature of the defects points to a worsening front suspension and steering condition rather than a stable maintenance trend. Looking at the wider history, there has been a recurring theme of front-end wear items, with the off-side front track rod end ball joint requiring attention as far back as August 2022, and front tyre edge wear noted again in July 2023 and February 2026, suggesting that an underlying geometry, suspension, or component issue may not have been fully resolved. With approximately 70,682 miles recorded over a ten-year life, the vehicle has covered roughly 7,000 miles per year, which is a typical annual usage for a van of this age and segment, though the gap between the August 2022 test and the February 2024 test, followed by another interval to February 2026, suggests the mileage has accumulated in fits and starts rather than steadily, possibly reflecting periods of light commercial use or standing between jobs. While the overall mileage is not excessive, light or irregular use on a vehicle of this age can bring its own concerns, particularly with regard to standing corrosion on brake discs and calipers, deterioration of rubber components, and fluid degradation from infrequent running. The MOT history itself shows no recorded odometer readings, so any mileage gaps cannot be precisely verified, and a buyer should cross-reference the current odometer against service records to ensure the recorded mileage is consistent with the MOT certificates. Given the recent replacement of the track rod ends and the front shock absorber, a prospective buyer should carefully inspect these areas for any signs of subsequent play, fluid seepage, or uneven tyre wear, as premature failure of these components after only a short period would suggest that the underlying cause, such as worn suspension bushes, a weak coil spring, or a damaged wheel bearing, has not been addressed. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over bumps, check for any vagueness or wandering in the steering, and pay particular attention to uneven inner-edge wear on the front tyres, which has been a recurring advisory and is often indicative of misalignment or worn suspension geometry. The brake pads were flagged as wearing thin on both axles in 2022, and given the intervening mileage, a thorough inspection of pad material thickness, disc condition for lipping or corrosion, and caliper slide pin operation would be prudent. Beyond the items directly highlighted by the MOT history, a ten-year-old commercial vehicle with relatively modest annual mileage warrants a broader age-based inspection. Check all tyres, including the unused spare, for sidewall cracking and perishing, which can occur regardless of tread depth on older rubber, and verify the production date code on the sidewall. Inspect the underside and structural areas for any corrosion, particularly around wheel arches, sills, and the rear load area, which are common corrosion hotspots on vans of this vintage. Confirm that the cambelt or timing chain service interval has been observed according to manufacturer schedule, as age rather than mileage is often the critical factor for timing component replacement, and verify that brake fluid, coolant, and gearbox oil have been changed at appropriate calendar intervals even if the mileage has been low. Finally, check the 12 volt battery for adequate cranking performance, as batteries that have sat partially discharged will fail prematurely, and ensure that the service book contains stamps or invoices matching the mileage, since a consistent service history is particularly important for confirming that the engine, clutch, and dual mass flywheel, if fitted, have been looked after over the vehicle's life.