2003 Renault Trafic 1.9L Diesel · GL52 TMZ

A mechanical picture of recurring wear emerges from the DVSA history of this 2003 Renault Trafic, with steering and suspension components standing out as the principal area of concern. Across seven recorded tests, the vehicle has been presented on two occasions with failures serious enough to refuse a certificate. In February 2017 an offside front suspension arm ball joint was found to have excessive play, alongside a leaking power steering pipe or hose at a joint on the central front lower section. A second presentation in February 2019 then recorded brake hose excessively twisted and a track rod end seriously misaligned, with both items categorised asPRS failures. Beyond these outright refusals, the advisory pattern over the years has consistently returned to the front suspension and steering geometry, including play in steering rack inner joints noted in 2019, while the most recent January 2022 test additionally recorded both rear coil springs as corroded and both front brake discs as worn, pitted or scored. The trajectory from a clean 2018 pass to a corroded coil spring and pitted brake disc record by 2022 suggests progressive component degradation rather than a stable mechanical state. With 142,698 miles recorded on a 23 year old vehicle, the average accumulation works out at roughly 6,200 miles annually, which is broadly in line with typical usage for a van of this age. There are no protracted gaps in the testing history, with examinations recorded in consecutive years from 2017 through 2022, indicating the vehicle has remained in regular use on the road rather than being laid up for extended periods. That said, at this odometer reading the consumable wear recorded in the advisories becomes more meaningful, as high-mileage commercial platforms tend to show accelerated ageing of suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs and steering joints. The recurring oil leak advisory first noted in 2019 and repeated on the 2021 test points to a persistent if non-excessive seepage that should not be ignored, particularly given the powertrain mileage carried. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas to physically inspect and test are those that mirror the advisory and failure pattern in the MOT file. The offside front suspension arm ball joint and the track rod end are both known failure points on this model generation, so on a test drive listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end when traversing speed humps, broken tarmac or uneven surfaces, and feel for vagueness or slack in the steering, particularly when turning from lock to lock. With play previously recorded in the steering rack inner joint, any clunking transmitted through the steering wheel under braking or on uneven surfaces warrants further investigation. The brake hose that was recorded as excessively twisted should be examined for current routing and condition, while the pitted and scored front discs noted in 2022 will likely require replacement if not already addressed, so expect pedal judder or vibration under firm braking and listen for any grinding or rubbing sounds from the caliper area. The oil leak advisories from 2019 and 2021, although classed as not excessive, suggest an unresolved seepage that may have worsened over the intervening year, so inspect the ground beneath the engine bay for fresh staining, check the engine and transmission casings for wet residue, and monitor the oil level closely on any test drive. The rear coil spring corrosion flagged in 2022 is a structural concern typical of older vehicles and should be inspected visually, particularly at the lower mounting seats, while the deteriorated offside front CV boot recorded as a minor defect on the same test will allow grease loss and eventual joint failure if left, manifesting as a clicking noise on full lock turns. Given that the vehicle has accumulated considerable mileage, has two failures on record and a pattern of advisories concentrated around steering, suspension and braking components, any inspection should be accompanied by a thorough ramp or jack-up examination of the front suspension and steering assemblies before committing to purchase.