2007 Renault Twingo 1.1L Petrol · HN57 RWF

The vehicle's roadworthiness shows signs of a worsening maintenance trend, characterized by recurring mechanical issues that have persisted across multiple test cycles. While the February 2024 test at 149,451 miles resulted in a pass, the record highlights several unresolved or repeating faults. Specifically, the steering rack inner joints on both fronts have been flagged for play in both the 2023 and 2024 tests, indicating a failure to rectify a significant steering component issue. The presence of a front oil leak and a minor rear exhaust leak also remains a constant throughout the recent history. The mileage accumulation appears consistent with the vehicle's age, averaging approximately 7,866 miles per year. The jump from 129,150 miles in January 2022 to 140,142 miles in January 2023 shows steady usage, followed by a similar progression to the 149,451 miles recorded in February 2024. This pattern suggests the car is driven regularly rather than sitting idle, which explains the gradual wear on consumables like tyres and brake pads. However, the lack of a clean MOT in 2023, where a failure occurred on 2023-01-17, suggests that while the car is used, basic preventative maintenance may be reactive rather than proactive. A prospective buyer must prioritise a thorough inspection of the steering and suspension systems. The repeated advisories regarding steering rack inner joint play and the previous failure for an offside front wheel bearing with excessive play suggest the front-end geometry and components are nearing the end of their service life. The history also shows a pattern of minor oil leaks, including a gearbox leak noted in January 2022, so checking for significant fluid loss or heavy contamination around the engine and transmission is essential. The braking system and exhaust also require close scrutiny. The 2023 failure for a binding offside rear service brake and thin inner brake pads, combined with the 2024 advisory for a worn offside front tyre, points to inconsistent attention to braking components and tyres. The persistent minor exhaust leak noted in 2023 and 2024 should be checked for deeper structural corrosion in the exhaust system. Given the age of the vehicle, checking the condition of the shock absorbers, which showed oil misting in 2022, is also advisable to ensure the suspension remains stable.