2004 Renault Trafic 1.9L Diesel · LR54 XWH

A twenty-two year old Renault Trafic with this MOT record presents an unusually tidy picture of roadworthiness for a working van of its vintage. Five straight passes between 2021 and 2025, the most recent on 18 November 2025 with no advisories recorded at all, suggest that the vehicle has been maintained to a standard sufficient to satisfy annual inspection without the tester identifying defects worth noting. While the absence of advisories on the recent tests does not guarantee that the van is mechanically perfect, it is notable that nothing was flagged across the last five examinations, including no corrosion advisories, no suspension items, and no brake component notes. That said, MOT advisories only appear once a tester considers an item at or near the failure threshold, so buyers should still approach a van of this age with a thorough physical inspection rather than relying solely on the certificate outcome. Mileage accumulation of 155,304 miles across roughly twenty-two years equates to approximately 7,059 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a commercial vehicle of this type. There are no extended gaps in the testing history, suggesting the van has been kept in regular use rather than laid up for prolonged periods, which reduces the likelihood of seized brakes, perished fuel system components, or flattened engine internals from long standing. Equally, the mileage is not exceptionally high, meaning that major drivetrain components such as the gearbox and clutch are unlikely to have been subjected to the brutal workload seen on high-mileage examples. The annual MOT cadence has been consistent year on year, which indicates the vehicle has remained on the road and subject to the usual wear pattern expected of a working light commercial vehicle. Given the clean advisory record, there are no specific components flagged in the MOT history to target on inspection. Instead, attention should turn to the general mechanical condition expected of a Trafic at this mileage and age, particularly the well-known areas of wear on this model. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which on these vans is frequently traced to worn lower wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, or top mount bearings. Pay close attention to the front brake discs for any shudder through the pedal under firm braking and listen for any grinding or squealing indicative of worn pads or binding caliper sliders. Steering play or vagueness around the straight-ahead position can suggest worn track rod ends or deteriorating power steering components, both of which are common on high-mileage examples of this generation of Trafic. A physical inspection under the bonnet and beneath the vehicle is equally important. With this age and mileage, expect some oil seepage from the cam cover gasket or sump, and check that coolant and power steering fluid levels are well maintained with no milky residue in the oil filler cap. Examine the underside for any fresh underseal applied over corrosion, particularly around the rear axle, spring hangers, and jacking points, as MOT testers would only flag structural corrosion once it has become advanced. Inspect the condition of the exhaust system for blowing joints and check that the turbocharger, where fitted, responds cleanly without excessive smoke on boost. Finally, verify the service history to confirm that cam belts, water pumps, and clutch fluid have been replaced at recommended intervals, as these items are not assessed at MOT but are critical to the long-term reliability of a commercial van approaching 160,000 miles.