2007 Citroen Relay 2.2L Diesel · FP07 UCL

This 2007 Citroen Relay presents a mixed mechanical picture, dominated by recurring brake and suspension concerns across its MOT history. Of the eight recorded tests since 2017, two resulted in failures: one in mid-2017 cited binding front offside and rear nearside brakes alongside a twisted offside brake pipe and an insufficient windscreen washer, and another in June 2020 flagged serious fluid leaks from both rear shock absorbers plus a split offside front drive shaft CV boot with a broken clip. The 2020 failure was converted to a pass the following day, though the advisories on oil leaks persisted into that pass and have remained a feature of subsequent tests in 2021 and 2022. The most recent test on 1 June 2022 was a pass with only a minor advisory for reduced light intensity from the offside rear upper stop lamp, indicating the rear lighting and general roadworthiness were considered acceptable at that point, yet the underlying pattern of hydraulic and suspension component wear is the defining mechanical story here. With approximately 128,211 miles recorded across a 19-year life, the Relay averages around 6,748 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a working commercial vehicle of this era, though the annual accumulation is somewhat modest and suggests intermittent rather than continuous heavy use. There is a notable gap in testing between June 2017 and June 2018, and again between June 2018 and June 2019, which may indicate periods off the road or simply operational patterns where the vehicle was not presented annually. Mechanically, the recorded mileage places significant demand on the consumables already flagged in the MOT record: the brakes, rear dampers, front drive shaft, and suspension ball joints have all been called out, and these are precisely the components that wear progressively with mileage rather than age alone. The persistent oil leak advisory across multiple tests suggests a seal or gasket issue that has not been fully resolved, which warrants careful inspection for oil contamination on surrounding components. A prospective buyer should treat the braking system as the primary focus for any test drive and physical inspection. Given the 2017 failures for binding brakes on both the offside front and nearside rear, plus the twisted offside brake pipe found during a steering lock check, it is essential to confirm that the caliper slides move freely, the handbrake mechanism releases cleanly without resistance, and there is no uneven pad wear or disc scoring when the wheels are removed for inspection. Brake pedal feel should be firm without excessive travel, and any pulling to one side under moderate braking would warrant immediate concern. The brake pipes themselves, particularly along the offside where twisting was previously noted, should be examined for corrosion, chafing against the chassis, or any signs of recent replacement using inappropriate routing. The suspension and drivetrain also demand close scrutiny following the 2020 test. Both rear shock absorbers were recorded as having serious fluid leaks, and although they subsequently passed, the replacement or refurbishment should be verified, as compromised dampers on a heavy van often lead to poor ride quality, rear-end instability when loaded, and accelerated wear on related mounting bushes. The offside front CV boot was noted as split with a broken clip, so listen for clicking or knocking from the front under full steering lock and on initial acceleration, which would indicate degraded joint grease or contamination. The slight play previously recorded in the nearside front suspension arm ball joint should be rechecked by rocking the wheel at the three and nine o'clock positions to detect any clonking, and the persistent oil leak should be traced to its source to establish whether it is from a valve cover gasket, sump, or a more significant area such as the crankshaft seal. A thorough inspection underneath on a ramp is strongly advised before committing to purchase.