2018 Vauxhall Movano 2.3L Diesel · FN68 OMC

Brake wear is the recurring theme in this Movano's test history, and it culminated in a failure on 23 September 2023 when parking brake efficiency fell below requirements, alongside advisories for worn and pitted front brake discs, both front tyres worn close to the legal limit, and a worn offside front suspension arm pin or bush. A retest on 2 October 2023 produced a pass, indicating the parking brake defect was rectified, though the front discs and the suspension bush remained as advisories, meaning those items were still present at the time of that test. Earlier records show a pass in September 2022 with an advisory for offside rear brake pads wearing thin, and a clean pass in September 2021 with only non-mechanical notes regarding security door locks and items removed from the driver's view. The overall trend is one of accumulating wear on braking and front suspension components rather than structural or corrosion concerns, but a buyer should treat the 2023 advisories as live items requiring verification. The recorded mileage of 107,281 miles over roughly eight years equates to approximately 13,410 miles per year, which is high for the age and consistent with the working life typical of a large panel van. Testing has been annual and consistent with no significant gaps, so the mileage accumulation appears steady rather than the product of sudden intensive use. This level of use explains the pattern seen in the records: brake discs, pads, tyres, and suspension bushes are precisely the consumables that wear fastest under sustained mileage, particularly on a vehicle of this weight class that may regularly carry loads. The high annual figure means remaining component life on wear items should be assumed to be shorter than the odometer alone might suggest. On inspection, priority should go to the front braking system. The discs were flagged as worn, pitted, or scored in both 2023 tests, so check whether they have since been replaced; if not, expect reduced braking performance and budget for discs and pads. On a test drive, feel for judder or pulsing through the brake pedal under firm braking, which would confirm disc deterioration, and listen for any grinding. Verify the parking brake holds the vehicle securely on an incline, given that its efficiency was a failure point in September 2023, and check the rear brakes given the 2022 advisory for thinning offside rear pads. The offside front suspension arm bush, noted as worn in both 2023 tests, warrants a careful check: listen for knocking or clunking from the front corner over uneven surfaces and feel for any vagueness or pull in the steering under braking, both of which suggest the bush has deteriorated further. Both front tyres were close to the legal limit in September 2023, so confirm they have been replaced and inspect for uneven edge wear, which could indicate tracking or suspension geometry issues linked to the worn bush. Finally, given the van's working mileage, a general check of clutch bite point, gear engagement, and any driveline vibration under load would be prudent before purchase.