2014 Mercedes-Benz Citan 1.5L Diesel · LS14 FNG

The most recent DVSA examination on 10 December 2025 resulted in a pass, although it was achieved only seven days after a prior failure on 3 December 2025 which had flagged a split nearside front outer drive shaft CV boot, an offside front inner tyre with exposed cords, and an offside rear inner tyre with perished cracking showing ply material. The pass test itself carries two advisories relating to corrosion on the inner faces of both front and both rear brake discs, noted as pitted or scored but not seriously weakened. When reviewing the four-year MOT trajectory holistically, the overall maintenance trend is one of gradual deterioration rather than stable or improving condition. The 2022 test was entirely clean aside from headlamp aim, but from 2023 onwards there has been a recurring pattern of advisories concerning brake pipe corrosion across the axle and along the front to rear line, inner edge tyre wear approaching legal limits, and from 2024 onwards, tyre perishing and structural failures. The presence of dangerous defects on the two most recent failures particularly indicates that consumable items, namely tyres, brake hydraulic components, and drivetrain gaiters, are being left to degrade to a serious condition rather than being proactively replaced, which warrants close scrutiny during any prospective purchase. With recorded mileage of 107,531 miles over approximately twelve years, this Citan is averaging around 8,960 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a light commercial vehicle of its age and class. There is no significant evidence of long periods of standing unused, nor of exceptionally high annual accumulation that might suggest motorway fleet use. The mileage profile therefore implies steady mixed duty work, with the mechanical implications being consistent wear on suspension components, brake friction material, clutch and dual mass flywheel if fitted, and drivetrain items, but not the accelerated fatigue seen on high-mileage examples. Given the vehicle is approaching the mid point of its likely operational life, attention should focus on the cumulative wear of items that do not necessarily announce themselves through MOT failures, such as bushes, anti-roll bar links, coolant system components, and the timing chain or belt service interval depending on the engine variant fitted. Prospective buyers should pay particular attention to the recurring brake pipe corrosion advisories first noted in December 2023 and persisting through to December 2024. This is a progressive condition, particularly on commercial vehicles exposed to winter road salt, and a leaking brake pipe was specifically recorded as a dangerous failure in December 2024, indicating the corrosion had reached an advanced state between MOT visits. A thorough physical inspection of all brake lines, including those routed across the rear axle and along the chassis from front to rear, is essential, and any signs of surface blistering, weeping joints, or aftermarket repair sleeves should be treated as a priority rectification item. The brake disc corrosion advisories from December 2025 suggest the discs are likely near the end of their service life, so measurement of remaining disc thickness with a vernier gauge and inspection for lipping or uneven wear on test drive should be carried out. Symptoms to listen for include brake shudder under heavy application, pulling to one side, or a grinding sensation suggesting pads have worn into corroded disc surfaces. The pattern of inner edge tyre wear and perishing requires investigation of the wheel alignment geometry, as consistent inner shoulder wear on both front tyres typically indicates either excessive negative camber, worn suspension bushes, or sagging coil springs. The buyer should inspect all four tyres for age-related sidewall cracking regardless of tread depth, as the December 2024 and December 2025 failures show that perishing can develop rapidly on a twelve-year-old vehicle, and the date code on each tyre sidewall should be checked to ensure none are older than five years. The failed CV boot from December 2025 should have been replaced before the subsequent pass, and the joint itself should be inspected for grease loss and any clicking or knocking during tight low-speed manoeuvres on test drive. Beyond the MOT record, a vehicle of this age and mileage warrants confirmation of cambelt or timing chain service history depending on engine type, replacement of brake fluid and coolant on a calendar basis regardless of odometer reading, inspection of the dual mass flywheel for rattle on idle and smooth take-up, a check of 12V battery health given the standby losses typical of commercial use, and a careful look for oil leaks from the engine sump, injector seals, and turbo pipework on the common 1.5 dCi derived units found in this model.