2008 Dodge (usa) Journey 2.0L Diesel · ML58 DVC

The 2008 Dodge Journey presents a mixed maintenance picture, with a clear worsening trend in its most recent MOT cycle. The vehicle failed its May 2024 test at 165,141 miles for two distinct issues: slight play in the offside front lower anti-roll bar linkage ball joint and an SRS warning lamp indicating a fault. While it passed on the same day after rectification, the recurrence of an airbag system fault is notable. The 2023 test at 159,141 miles shows an identical pattern, with the same SRS lamp fault appearing alongside a minor exhaust gas leak at the flexi pipe and a non-excessive oil leak. The fact that the supplementary restraint system fault has appeared in consecutive annual tests suggests an intermittent or poorly resolved electrical issue, rather than a one-off event. The 2022 test at 141,235 miles was entirely clean, meaning the current cluster of faults has developed only in the last two years of ownership. The mileage accumulation of roughly 6,000 miles between the 2022 and 2023 tests, and then approximately 6,000 miles again between 2023 and 2024, indicates consistent but moderate annual use. There are no alarming gaps or sudden spikes in the odometer record. The overall average of around 9,174 miles per year over the vehicle's eighteen-year life is unremarkable for a US-built SUV of this age. The MOT record itself is sparse, with only three test events documented, so a buyer cannot rely on a dense service history to fill in the gaps between these annual inspections. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the front suspension, specifically the anti-roll bar linkage ball joints and associated drop links. The 2024 advisory for slight play on the offside front lower ball joint points to wear that will likely progress. Surface rust noted on front and rear suspension components in 2023 warrants close examination for any perforation or structural weakening, particularly on subframes and mounting points. The exhaust flexi pipe has a documented history of minor gas leaks, so the entire exhaust system should be checked for cracking and gas tightness. The recurring SRS warning lamp fault demands professional diagnostic interrogation of the airbag control module. This is not a simple bulb fault if it has triggered across two separate test events. Seat occupancy sensors, clock spring connections, and under-seat wiring connectors are common failure points on this platform. The non-excessive oil leak flagged in 2023 should be traced to its source, whether that is the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing, or crankshaft seal, as even minor leaks can degrade rubber hoses and contaminate other components over time.