2009 Fiat Ducato 2.3L Diesel · FE59 OTY

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile that has transitioned from severe mechanical failure to a state of marginal stability. While it passed its last test in July 2023 at 227,810 miles, the history reveals persistent issues with exhaust gas leaks and non-excessive oil leaks. These faults mirror identical defects noted in the February 2022 test, suggesting that the owner is performing only reactive repairs to pass inspections rather than addressing underlying mechanical degradation. The trend is currently stable but fragile, as the previous failures in 2020 indicate a period of significant deferred maintenance. The mileage data indicates extremely high usage for a 17-year-old vehicle, averaging over 13,000 miles per year. However, there is a glaring anomaly in usage patterns between October 2020 and July 2023; the vehicle covered only 329 miles over nearly three years. This suggests the van either sat stationary for long periods or was used minimally, which is often detrimental to seals, brake components, and fuel systems. Since the last record in July 2023, the vehicle has not undergone a tested MOT, meaning the current roadworthiness is nearly three years out of date and carries high risk of undetected deterioration. A buyer must prioritize a thorough inspection of the structural integrity and lower suspension. The 2020 records flagged significant under-body corrosion and corroded brake pipes, which are critical safety points on a Ducato of this age. The steering rack inner joints and ball joint dust covers were previously identified as failed components and should be checked for excessive play or further tearing. Given the history of binding calipers across all four wheels and poor parking brake efficiency, the entire braking system must be stripped and tested to ensure no components have seized or perished during the long period of inactivity.