2012 Citroen Relay 2.2L Diesel · LB12 LWJ

A pattern of repeated brake and suspension wear points defines the mechanical profile of this 2012 Citroen Relay, with two of the last three tests recording advisories against the same nearside rear brake cable outer casing and a progression of suspension joint defects that warrants close scrutiny. The most recent pass on 25 September 2025 logged three advisories: the recurring brake cable outer cover deterioration, light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber, and sidewall plus tread edge cracking on the nearside rear tyre. One year earlier, on 24 September 2024, the vehicle passed but carried an identical nearside rear brake cable advisory and tyre cracking note, alongside a minor defect for fuel pipe chafing that had previously been a reason for refusal at the same test. More concerning is the 7 September 2022 failure, which recorded a major defect for an excessively worn offside front lower suspension arm ball joint and a seized central rear brake pivot lever, the latter being a serious mechanical issue given that brake pivot seizure directly compromises rear brake actuation. The 2021 test flagged slight play in that same offside front ball joint, indicating a measurable deterioration between annual examinations rather than a sudden failure. Recorded mileage of 118,025 across fourteen years equates to an average of roughly 8,430 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a working panel van of this era, though a commercial vehicle generally accumulates mileage unevenly with peaks during operational periods and lower activity phases. The test record shows annual examinations from 2020 through 2025 without obvious gaps, but mileage progression between tests cannot be confirmed from the data supplied, so the consistency of use versus potential periods of low activity or heavy commercial loading cannot be determined. For a vehicle of this type and age, suspension bushes, ball joints, brake components, and corrosion-prone underbody areas are subject to elevated wear regardless of recorded mileage, particularly given the likely commercial duty cycle associated with a Relay of this vintage. A prospective buyer should place particular emphasis on the suspension and braking components flagged across multiple tests. The offside front lower suspension arm ball joint was identified with slight play in 2021 and progressed to an MOT failure by 2022, meaning the replacement history of this joint, the condition of the opposite side joint, and the general state of the front lower arms, bushes, and anti-roll bar linkages should be physically inspected. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly on full lock or over speed humps, and feel for vagueness or imprecise steering response. The 2022 failure also recorded a seized central rear brake pivot lever, a defect that compromises the handbrake or brake balance mechanism on heavy vans; the current operation of the rear brakes and handbrake should be verified, with the vehicle tested on an incline to confirm the handbrake holds without excessive travel or creep. The recurring nearside rear brake cable outer casing deterioration is another item that must be physically examined. The advisories state the damage is not currently excessive, but on a commercial vehicle the cable runs are exposed to road spray, grit, and underbody debris, so the full length of the cable should be inspected for cracks, exposed inner wire, and corrosion. The recent offside front shock absorber oil misting is an early warning of seal failure, and any increase in braking dive, nose-to-tail pitching over undulations, or asymmetry between corners warrants further investigation. The fuel pipe chafing noted in 2024 was recorded as a minor defect with the pipe cable-tied out of the way, so the current routing and condition of the fuel lines beneath the battery box should be checked to confirm no further rubbing has occurred. Given the two MOT failures within the recorded period, one involving a structural risk from a damaged bumper and the other involving major mechanical defects in the braking and suspension systems, a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with commercial Citroen or Peugeot platform vans would be prudent.