2017 Fiat Ducato 2.3L Diesel · FJ66 AZD

The vehicle shows a pattern of reactive maintenance rather than proactive upkeep, with a tendency for mechanical issues to persist across multiple tests. The most recent MOT on 27 February 2023 at 353,952 miles passed, but only after a failure five days earlier. This recent failure highlighted several significant issues, including an excessively binding offside rear service brake, a structural tyre failure on the nearside rear, and play in the nearside and offside front inner rack joints. While the 2023 pass cleared the lighting and tyre defects, the recurring nature of the steering rack play suggests a worsening condition in the front-end components. The mileage accumulation on this 2017 Ducato is exceptionally high, averaging approximately 39,328 miles per year. The data shows rapid usage, with the vehicle covering 76,000 miles between January 2021 and January 2022, and another 55,000 miles between January 2022 and February 2023. This heavy workload places significant stress on the drivetrain, suspension, and braking systems. Given that the last recorded MOT was in February 2023, the vehicle is now significantly overdue for its annual inspection, which is a concern for a high-mileage commercial vehicle. A prospective buyer must prioritise a thorough inspection of the steering and suspension systems. The repeated mentions of play in the inner rack joints and anti-roll bar ball joints indicate that the steering geometry and front-end stability may be compromised. The braking history is also inconsistent; the tester flagged a parking brake efficiency issue in January 2022 and a binding rear caliper in February 2023. These recurring faults suggest that the braking system, including cables and calipers, requires a detailed physical assessment to ensure it is not nearing total failure. The high mileage also necessitates a close examination of the chassis for signs of heavy wear or corrosion, alongside checking the coolant levels and engine integrity, as low coolant was noted in the February 2023 failure. The tyre history, specifically the structural separation noted in early 2023, implies that the vehicle has been operated on components that were nearing the end of their safe service life. Any inspection should include a rigorous check of all suspension bushes, steering linkages, and the condition of the brake discs and pads.