2008 Peugeot Boxer 3.0L Diesel · HT08 LLO

A pattern of brake and tyre deterioration at the front axle dominates the recent roadworthiness history of this 2008 Peugeot Boxer, with two separate Dangerous failures recorded in consecutive test cycles. On 2025-07-30 the nearside front brake pad was found to be less than 1.5 mm thick, a level that compromises stopping performance and would have led to metal-on-metal contact if driven further. One year later, on 2026-07-30, an offside front tyre was recorded with tread depth below the legal 1.6 mm requirement, accompanied by a Major fluid leak categorised as a risk to other road users or the environment. The vehicle subsequently passed an MOT the following day under the same registration, indicating that the defects were rectified promptly, but the clustering of these items across the two most recent tests demonstrates that consumable wear is advancing quickly relative to the mileage being covered. Against an 18-year vehicle age, the recorded 46,304 miles equates to roughly 2,572 miles annually, which is exceptionally low and points to either genuinely light commercial or domestic use, or extended periods of standing. MOT records exist only for 2024, 2025, and 2026, with no test history captured prior to August 2024, meaning there is a long undocumented stretch where the vehicle could have accumulated wear through age-related degradation rather than distance. Low annual mileage of this kind typically reduces stress on the engine and drivetrain internals but elevates the risk of corrosion seizing onto brake calipers, suspension linkages and exposed metal components. The fluid leak flagged at the 2026 test is consistent with this kind of age-driven deterioration, as seals, gaskets and flexible lines harden and weep over time regardless of how few miles have been covered. For a prospective buyer, the brake-related items warrant close physical inspection rather than reliance on the test sheet alone. The nearside front pads having worn to below 1.5 mm at the 2025 test, and the rear pads being noted as wearing thin at the 2026 test, suggests the friction material across the vehicle is now approaching a replacement cycle; on a test drive, listen for any metallic squeal or grinding from the front wheels, particularly under light braking, and feel for a soft or inconsistent pedal. The offside front tyre that fell below legal tread on the inside edge is a further indicator of potential suspension geometry misalignment, so the vehicle should be driven in a straight line to detect any steering pull, and the nearside front tyre should also be checked for uneven shoulder wear. Any knocking or clonking from the front end over speed bumps would point to worn drop links, anti-roll bar bushes or top mounts, all of which are common on Boxer chassis of this age. The Major fluid leak recorded on 2026-07-30 requires specific clarification before purchase, as the MOT record does not identify the source. On inspection, the engine bay, under-bonnet hoses, power steering rack, radiator and any visible brake or fuel lines should be examined for damp residues or staining, and the underside examined on a ramp for drips at the sump, gearbox, differential or any rigid brake pipe unions. A smoke machine or pressure test on the cooling system would be prudent to confirm whether the leak is from a coolant hose or the radiator itself, as Boxer vans of this generation are known for ageing plastic coolant components. Given that only three MOT tests appear on file across the entire life of the vehicle, a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a commercial vehicle specialist is strongly advisable to establish the overall mechanical condition beyond what the limited test history can reveal.