2018 Peugeot Partner 1.6L Diesel · LR18 SSJ

Chronic front suspension wear and a pattern of minor electrical and drivetrain defects dominate the MOT history of this 2018 Peugeot Partner. The most recent test on 1 October 2025 returned a pass, but both nearside and offside front suspension arm pins or bushes were flagged as worn, continuing a recurring advisory theme stretching back to 2022. Earlier the same year in January 2024 the vehicle failed on a nearside front track rod end with excessive play and an inoperative rear position lamp, both classified as major defects. Across four tests the lower arm rear bushes have been specifically mentioned three times, the nearside rear position lamp has failed, registration plate lamps have been defective on two occasions, and the nearside front outer drive shaft CV boot has been recorded as severely deteriorated twice, in 2021 and again in 2023. The cluster of repeat advisories on the front suspension geometry suggests progressive wear of the bushes and pivot hardware, while the CV boot deterioration points to exposure that could lead to joint contamination if not already addressed. With eight calendar years of use and 98,591 recorded miles, this Partner has averaged roughly 12,324 miles annually, which is on the high side for a small van of this age and well above the typical private-car average. Five MOT tests are recorded between 2021 and 2025, with no apparent multi-year lay-up gaps in the testing record, indicating consistent operational use rather than long periods of standing. Higher annual mileage accelerates wear on the very components flagged in the record, namely suspension bushes, brake pads, brake discs, drive shaft boots, and tyres. The front brake disc wear advisory and the front inner brake pad thinning recorded in March 2021 are consistent with that workload, and a vehicle of this mileage should be expected to have accumulated proportionate wear on steering and suspension consumables regardless of test outcome. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front suspension during any inspection. With both lower arm rear bushes and the offside lower arm front bush previously flagged, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps, rough surfaces, and during full-lock manoeuvres, and feel for vagueness or shimmy through the steering wheel that could indicate worn bushes or fatigued coil springs. On a test drive, any steering wander, uneven tyre wear across the front pair, or a knocking transmitted through the bulkhead would warrant further investigation. The nearside track rod end ball joint that failed in 2024 is a critical steering component, so check that no excess play remains at the joint and that the steering returns crisply to centre. Examine the nearside front CV boot closely for fresh grease around the joint or splits in the rubber, as the same boot has been flagged deteriorated across two tests and repeated exposure to debris accelerates failure. The braking and drivetrain items flagged also merit direct attention. The front brake disc and inner pad advisories from 2021 indicate the discs were already approaching a service threshold at relatively low mileage, so inspect the discs for lipping, surface scoring, or hot spots and verify pad material remaining. The nearside front drive shaft oil leak advisory noted in the same test should be checked for fresh seepage around the inner joint seal, as persistent leakage can lead to joint failure. Tyre condition is also relevant given the offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit advisory from 2022, so confirm even wear patterns and adequate tread depth on all four corners. Finally, the recurring minor defects on registration plate lamps and stop lamps suggest electrical earth or bulb holder wear, so verify all exterior lighting operates correctly and inspect bulb holders for corrosion before purchase.