2018 Vauxhall Grandland 1.5L Diesel · FN68 OKF

A pattern of MOT clean passes is undermined by a single but notable failure in late 2023, which brought the vehicle back to a satisfactory state for the two most recent tests in 2024 and 2025. The 2023 failure identified a non-functioning nearside headlamp on dipped beam together with an inoperative or malfunctioning engine management indicator lamp, both categorised as Major defects. The MIL issue in particular warrants attention, as it suggests an underlying engine management or emissions system fault that may not have been fully resolved between the November 2023 failure and the subsequent pass a week later. Earlier advisories in 2021 flagged front and rear tyres worn close to the legal limit, rear brake disc corrosion, and a minor oil leak, while a further oil leak advisory was logged in 2022, suggesting an oil weep that has persisted rather than been rectified across consecutive tests. With 129,177 miles recorded over an 8-year lifespan, this Grandland has accumulated roughly 16,147 miles annually, which is a notably high rate of use for its age and well above the average. Mechanical components subject to wear proportional to mileage, including brake friction material, suspension bushes and linkages, coil springs, drivetrain mounts, clutch or transmission internals depending on specification, and the dual-mass flywheel if fitted with a manual gearbox, will have endured considerable service life. The annual mileage accumulation appears consistent across the recorded tests, with no significant testing gaps or unusual jumps, indicating a vehicle that has been in regular service rather than one that has been laid up for extended periods. The oil leak advisory recurring across 2021 and 2022, combined with this mileage, suggests engine seals and gaskets are entering a phase where deterioration becomes more common, particularly valve cover gaskets, sump seals, and timing chain cover areas. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the braking system, particularly the rear brake discs and pads, given the 2021 advisory noting rear disc corrosion and pitting. On a test drive, listen for any binding caliper symptoms such as the vehicle pulling to one side under braking or excessive heat build-up after moderate use, and feel for pedal judder or vibration through the pedal which may indicate disc runout. The oil leak advisories warrant checking for fresh staining around the engine block and sump area on a cold inspection, and on start-up listen for any timing chain rattle which is a known concern on higher-mileage units. The 2023 headlamp failure should prompt verification that both dipped and main beam functions are operational and that the engine management lamp extinguishes promptly after ignition, while also confirming any fault codes have been cleared rather than masked. Given the high mileage and the recurring oil leak advisory across two consecutive tests, it would be prudent to budget for imminent replacement of suspension components including anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, and lower control arm bushes, as these items degrade progressively with mileage and contribute to vague steering, clonks over speed humps, and uneven tyre wear. Inspect all four tyres for uneven wear patterns which can indicate suspension misalignment or worn components, and verify the rear tyres particularly as they were flagged close to the legal limit in 2021. A handheld OBD scan to confirm no stored engine management fault codes would provide additional reassurance regarding the 2023 MIL failure, and a compression or leak-down test on a high-mileage engine of this age can identify internal wear before it manifests as performance issues.