2016 Renault Trafic 1.6L Diesel · FP16 KAO

A completely clean MOT history across four consecutive annual tests, the most recent of which was a pass on 14 June 2025 with no advisories or failures recorded, marks this Trafic out as a van with a consistent record of roadworthiness. The absence of any flagged components through the entire recorded testing period suggests that the braking, suspension, steering, exhaust, lighting, and structural elements inspected under the DVSA regime have remained within tolerance at each annual check. For a commercial vehicle of this type and age, which typically sees heavier duty cycle loading than a passenger car, a defect-free run is a meaningful indicator of mechanical integrity. The latest 2025 result sits comfortably within an unbroken sequence of passes going back to the 2022 test, with no signs of deterioration or emerging advisories between visits. With 70,046 miles recorded against a ten-year vehicle age, the annual accumulation works out at roughly 7,000 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a Trafic of this vintage. There are no apparent gaps in the testing history, and the mileage progression across the four recorded MOTs implies steady, consistent use rather than long periods of standing or sudden, heavy-duty mileage spikes. For a commercial vehicle of this size, that level of annual running generally keeps mechanical components in regular operation, which tends to be kinder to items such as the clutch, turbo seals, diesel injection system, and brake calipers than prolonged inactivity would be. The mileage itself is not unusually low, so there is no particular concern about seized components, perished rubber, or stale fluids that often accompany very low-mileage light commercial use. From a buyer's perspective, the clean MOT record shifts the focus firmly onto the items that simply do not appear on a standard DVSA test, and on the natural wear that any ten-year-old commercial vehicle will carry. On a test drive, listen carefully for any clonks or knocks from the front suspension over uneven roads, particularly from the lower wishbones, anti-roll bar drop links, and the front strut top mounts, as these are common wear points on the Trafic platform and can begin to deteriorate without yet crossing an MOT failure threshold. Pay particular attention to steering precision; any vagueness, clonking on full lock, or uneven tyre wear across the front axle could indicate worn track rod ends or top mounts that are approaching replacement. Under braking, the pedal should feel firm and progressive; any judder, pulling to one side, or a binding sensation on a trailing pedal would warrant closer inspection of the calipers, discs, and pads, all of which on a commercial vehicle of this age will be due for assessment regardless of MOT status. The 2.0 dCi or 1.6 dCi diesel units fitted to this generation of Trafic are generally robust, but it is worth checking for any blue smoke on start-up or under load, which could point to worn turbo seals or piston ring wear, and listening for any timing chain rattle from cold which has been a known concern on earlier dCi engines. Inspect the underside for any signs of fluid leakage from the power steering rack, as the electric hydraulic units on these vans can weep with age. Finally, check the load area floor and the sills for the corrosion that affects many Trafics of this era, particularly around the rear wheel arches and the sliding door lower edge, as MOT testers will only flag this once it has perforated or compromised structural integrity. Given the unblemished test history, this vehicle represents a sound basis, provided a thorough physical inspection confirms the items the MOT cannot see.