2008 Renault Trafic 2.0L Diesel · HT08 DKY

The 2008 Renault Trafic presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT on 8 July 2025 passed at 89,823 miles, but the tester flagged play in the nearside front steering rack inner joint, a defect that has now appeared in three consecutive tests since July 2024. This is a worsening trend, not a one-off advisory. The joint was noted again in the July 2024 pass and originally caused a fail on 12 July 2024 alongside a leaking nearside rear brake pipe and an inability to test brake performance. That brake pipe leak was repaired before the retest three days later, yet the steering wear persists. A vehicle with a recurring steering rack advisory across multiple annual inspections suggests the inner joint has been degrading for at least two years without replacement, pointing to deferred mechanical repair rather than proactive upkeep. The mileage pattern reinforces a picture of light use with a notable anomaly. Between 11 July 2023 at 82,697 miles and 15 July 2024 at 86,710 miles, the van covered 4,013 miles in twelve months. Yet in the following year to 8 July 2025, it recorded just 3,113 miles. The current total of 89,823 miles on an eighteen-year-old van averages roughly 4,990 miles annually, well below the typical 8,000 to 12,000 miles expected for a working commercial vehicle. The sharp drop in annual mileage during 2024-2025 raises the possibility of prolonged standing, which can cause flat-spotted tyres, seized brake components, and dried-out rubber bushes. The gap between the 2023 clean pass and the 2024 sudden cluster of defects may reflect a period of dormancy followed by recommissioning without thorough mechanical attention. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front steering and braking systems. The nearside front steering rack inner joint needs close examination for excessive play, and the offside should be checked symmetrically since anti-roll bar linkage work was flagged in the July 2023 fail. Both front and rear brake pipes require inspection for corrosion, particularly the nearside rear line that previously leaked. Given the low mileage and possible standing periods, all brake discs, pads, and calipers should be assessed for surface corrosion and seizure. Suspension bushes, coil springs, and drop links warrant a thorough check, as rubber components deteriorate with age regardless of mileage. The subframe and load-bearing mounting points should be inspected for corrosion, a common concern on older Trafic vans, especially around the front crossmember and rear spring hangers. Tyre condition and date codes should be verified, as older rubber on a low-mileage vehicle can present a hidden safety risk even with adequate tread depth.