2013 Citroen Relay 2.2L Diesel · LX13 ACY

The most recent DVSA examination on 23 June 2025 returned a Pass with no advisories or defects recorded, indicating that the vehicle met the minimum statutory roadworthiness criteria at the point of test. Notably, this Pass followed a failure recorded only four days earlier on 19 June 2025; however, as no defect categories were listed against that failure in the official record, it is not possible to determine from the DVSA data alone what specifically caused the initial refusal. The intervening quick re-test pass suggests the issue was rectified promptly, possibly a minor item such as a lamp bulb, number plate, or similar easily corrected defect. Looking at the broader five-year history, the vehicle has passed consistently since 2022 with no recorded advisories, which points to a generally stable and well-maintained MOT profile rather than any worsening trend. With recorded mileage of just 4,929 miles across approximately thirteen years, this Citroen Relay is averaging around 379 miles per year, which is exceptionally low for a commercial vehicle of this type. Such minimal annual usage strongly suggests prolonged periods of standing rather than light regular use, and this carries well-documented mechanical implications. Vehicles that sit idle for extended intervals typically present with brake disc corrosion and seizure of the caliper guide pins or pistons, deterioration of brake fluid through moisture absorption rather than friction wear, hardening and perishing of rubber components including suspension bushes, drive belts, and tyres, plus significant degradation of the 12V battery due to parasitic drain and insufficient charging cycles. The MOT history only records mileage at test dates and does not capture whether the vehicle has been regularly serviced or started during its standing periods, so the low figure should not be mistaken for low wear. From a practical inspection standpoint, the buyer should physically examine the tyres closely for sidewall cracking, perishing, and tread hardening from ozone exposure, as the original factory-fitted rubber may have degraded structurally even with tread remaining, and any tyres over six years old should be replaced regardless of tread depth. Brake discs should be inspected for surface rust and any lipping, and the calipers should be checked for binding by attempting to spin each wheel by hand when jacked, listening for dragging or resistance that would indicate seized pistons. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as a battery that has spent years partially discharged will have reduced capacity, and the charging system should be verified. All under-bonnet rubber components, including the cambelt or timing chain cover, auxiliary drive belts, coolant and brake hoses, should be examined for cracking and brittleness characteristic of age rather than mileage. Equally important are the time-based service items that do not correlate with mileage but are essential on a thirteen-year-old commercial vehicle. Brake fluid should be renewed as a matter of course given that hygroscopic fluid absorbs water regardless of use, typically on a two-year cycle, and engine coolant, often long-life, should still be replaced on its calendar schedule. The cambelt, if fitted rather than a chain, must be verified as replaced within the manufacturer's interval, as age-based failure of a dry-stored belt can result in catastrophic engine damage irrespective of low mileage. Diesel fuel system components including the filter and any water-separating element should be inspected for ingress from condensation in the tank during standing periods, and a compression test or injector leak-off test would be prudent. Finally, request the full service history to verify that the manufacturer schedule has been followed by time rather than distance, as this Relay has covered less than a thousand miles in some intervening periods, and confirm that the vehicle has been kept in dry storage, as rust perforation of the bodywork and chassis components is a common end-of-life failure mode for commercial vehicles that have stood outside for prolonged periods.