2016 Renault Trafic 1.6L Diesel · LS66 WHN

Recurring degradation of the front suspension and damping system defines the mechanical history of this vehicle, which passed its latest inspection on 2026-02-21 with advisories for oil misting on both front shock absorbers. This follows a pattern of front-end wear, including a significant failure in early 2025 involving the nearside suspension arm and anti-roll bar linkage ball joints. While the vehicle is currently roadworthy, the persistence of shock absorber issues suggests the damping system is reaching the end of its effective service life. An accumulation of 133,314 miles over approximately ten years represents a high annual usage rate of over 13,000 miles. This level of sustained activity places significant stress on the drivetrain, engine mounts, and chassis components compared to a lower-mileage example. Prospective buyers should anticipate accelerated wear on all high-friction consumables and a higher likelihood of fatigue in the structural suspension mounts due to the cumulative load of high-mileage commercial use. During a test drive, pay close attention to the front end for any knocking or clunking sounds when traversing uneven surfaces or during low-speed steering manoeuvres, as this would indicate the previously flagged ball joints or anti-roll bar linkages are again deteriorating. The current advisories regarding oil misting on the front shock absorbers should be monitored for signs of excessive vehicle bounce or instability during braking, which suggests the dampers can no longer effectively control the suspension movement. Verify the integrity of the rear suspension, specifically checking for any unevenness in the vehicle stance that might suggest a recurrence of the fractured rear coil spring issue noted in 2025. Ensure the headlamp beams are correctly aligned and fully operational, as previous major failures in this area indicate a history of electrical or adjustment faults. A thorough inspection of the nearside front tyre wear pattern is also recommended to ensure that the previous issues with edge wear have been corrected through proper wheel alignment.