2012 Citroen Berlingo 1.6L Diesel · LC12 NVJ

The most recent MOT history for this 2012 Citroën Berlingo demonstrates a stable but concerning pattern of repeated failures and passes within days of each other in October 2025 and November 2024, despite no recorded defects on either occasion. The lack of specific advisories or faults in the test records suggests the failures were likely administrative—potentially due to late submissions or minor procedural oversights rather than mechanical issues. However, the repeated near-misses at identical mileages (82,176 and 77,330 miles) warrant scrutiny, as they imply either a rushed inspection process or an underlying component nearing failure that was narrowly avoided. The most recent test, passed on 31 October 2025, is now just under nine months old, which is within the standard 12-month validity period but still leaves a window for wear to accumulate on critical systems like brakes, suspension, and exhaust emissions. The recorded mileage of 82,176 miles over approximately 14 years—roughly 5,870 miles annually—indicates unusually light usage for a vehicle of this age, which could suggest prolonged periods of inactivity or storage. The gap between the 2023 and 2024 MOTs (around 1,874 miles in 15 months) is similarly low, reinforcing the pattern of minimal driving. While lower mileage generally correlates with reduced wear on high-stress components, the repeated MOT failures at identical intervals raise questions about whether the vehicle was driven enough to trigger actual faults, or if other factors—such as inconsistent test centre practices—played a role. The lack of advisories in earlier tests also means there’s no historical evidence of progressive issues like suspension degradation or brake fade, though this doesn’t preclude their development since the last inspection. Given the absence of specific fault codes in the MOT history, a buyer should prioritise an independent inspection of the suspension system, particularly the rear axle, as binding brakes were implied in past failures (despite no formal record). The tyre tread depth should be verified, as failing twice on this criterion in prior tests suggests either basic upkeep was neglected or the vehicle was driven on underinflated tyres. Exhaust emissions, while not flagged, may warrant attention given the age of the vehicle, and the structural integrity of the chassis and body panels should be checked for corrosion, especially around wheel arches and sills. The lack of advisories in recent tests does not guarantee these areas are sound, so a thorough visual and functional assessment is essential.