2005 Chrysler Grand Voyager 3.8L Petrol · LS05 KLD

The most recent DVSA examination on 18 November 2022 resulted in a pass, though three advisories were issued against the vehicle. The nearside front tyre was again flagged as worn close to the legal limit and heavily worn on the edges, an item that has now been repeated across the 2021 and 2022 tests and which suggests an ongoing tracking, camber, or suspension geometry concern rather than simple tyre consumption. The advisories relating to underbody corrosion and play in the nearside front steering rack inner joint have likewise been carried forward from the 2021 examination, indicating that these issues have not been remedied over a full year and are likely progressive in nature. Looking at the broader pattern, the 2018 test produced multiple major failures and a dangerous brake defect, while the 2021 test included three major failures, suggesting the maintenance trajectory is not entirely stable. The 2022 pass with fewer issues represents an improvement over the immediately preceding tests, but the persistent advisories, particularly on the steering and underbody, indicate that underlying wear continues to develop and warrants close physical inspection. The recorded mileage of 89,362 miles across approximately 21 years equates to an annual average of around 4,255 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this vintage and is consistent with extended periods of standing or only intermittent use. There are significant gaps in the MOT history, with no recorded tests between 2015 and 2018 and again between 2018 and 2021, suggesting that the vehicle may have been off the road, lightly used, or subject to testing exemption during those intervals. Low annual mileage of this nature reduces wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, gearbox, and clutch, but it increases the likelihood of problems associated with prolonged standing. These include oxidation of brake discs and calipers, fluid degradation through age rather than use, perished rubber components such as tyres, hoses, and gaiters, and 12V battery deterioration. The advisory notes from 2021 and 2022 relating to pitted brake discs and steering rack play are consistent with the kind of wear that develops when a vehicle is used only occasionally rather than driven regularly. Given the age and low usage profile of this vehicle, a prospective buyer should carry out a thorough physical inspection beyond what the MOT history alone reveals. The tyres should be examined for sidewall cracking and perishing, as rubber degrades with calendar age irrespective of tread depth, and the nearside front tyre should be inspected particularly carefully given the recurring edge wear advisories which may point to a worn front strut, collapsed top mount, or weakened coil spring. The front brake discs, previously noted as pitted, should be checked for excessive corrosion around the periphery, and the calipers should be confirmed as releasing cleanly without binding after standing. The steering rack inner joint play flagged repeatedly on the nearside side warrants a road test for any knocking, clunking, or vagueness through the steering, particularly over uneven surfaces, and a hoist inspection for any weeping hydraulic fluid from the rack or its gaiters. Underbody corrosion, noted in 2021 and 2022, should be assessed closely on a ramp for any structural concern around load-bearing areas, jacking points, and suspension mounting locations. Additional checks appropriate to a 21-year-old vehicle with low recorded mileage include verification of the 12V battery's state of health, as units of this age are typically well beyond their service life, and confirmation that the cooling system, brake fluid, and automatic transmission fluid have been renewed on a calendar basis rather than purely by mileage. The 2018 failure involving a split constant velocity boot and the earlier failures concerning emissions system malfunctions suggest that the engine management system and drivetrain seals have historically been areas of concern, and any illuminated warning lamps should be interrogated with a diagnostic scan before purchase. The parking brake efficiency advisory from 2014 indicates that the rear drum or caliper mechanism has previously required attention, and this should be tested on an incline to confirm adequate holding. Finally, a review of the service history documentation is essential to confirm that timing belts or chains, where applicable to this powertrain, have been replaced at the prescribed intervals, and that any modifications or removals noted in the MOT record, such as the rear seats, are accounted for in the vehicle's current configuration.