2013 Dodge Unknown 3.6L Petrol · MP55 RAM

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 14 March 2024, although this pass was accompanied by four advisories that warrant close attention. The maintenance trend is mixed rather than stable; a clean pass was achieved in March 2023, but a previous attempt just four days earlier recorded a dangerous continuous oil leak and a major engine management malfunction indicator lamp issue. The fact that the car subsequently passed with no defects recorded in 2023, followed by a pass with advisories in 2024, suggests a pattern of fluid leaks and suspension wear that has been left to develop rather than fully rectified. A prospective buyer should treat the advisories as items on the cusp of becoming failures and budget for remedial work in the near term. With a recorded mileage of 166,662 miles over roughly thirteen years, this vehicle has covered an average of around 12,820 miles per year, which is notably high for its age and well above the typical UK annual mileage of 7,000 to 9,000 miles. This level of sustained use places greater demand on consumables and mechanical components, particularly the clutch, drivetrain, suspension, braking system, and engine internals. The pattern of advisories relating to suspension ball joint play is consistent with this high mileage, as front suspension components typically begin to show wear around this point. There are no gaps in the recorded MOT history that would suggest extended periods of standing, which reduces the risk of standing-related corrosion but increases the likelihood of wear-based deterioration. The advisories recorded at the 2024 test require particular scrutiny during any physical inspection and test drive. The two suspension ball joint advisories on the nearside front lower arm and offside front upper arm, both exhibiting slight play, should be evaluated by placing the vehicle on a lift and checking for excessive movement by hand; on the road, worn ball joints typically produce clonking or knocking noises over speed humps, during sharp direction changes, or when turning at low speed, alongside uneven or feathered tyre wear on the inside or outside shoulders. Given that a failure on the nearside front lower arm joint was narrowly avoided, this should be regarded as an imminent repair. The nail in the nearside front tyre has presumably been repaired, but the tyre itself should be inspected for age-related sidewall cracking, as original tyres of this vintage are well beyond their recommended six-year service life and should be replaced regardless of tread depth. The engine oil leak advisory, combined with the earlier dangerous continuous leak failure, points to a persistent sealing problem that has not been fully resolved. During inspection, the underside of the engine and sump area should be examined for fresh oil residue, and the test drive should include careful monitoring of the oil warning light and temperature gauge, as well as listening for any engine knocking that could indicate oil starvation from a significant loss. Beyond the recorded defects, a high-mileage thirteen-year-old vehicle demands thorough checks of age and usage-related items. The brake discs and calipers should be examined for corrosion, binding, or uneven wear, as high annual mileage accelerates pad and disc consumption and warped discs will produce shudder under braking. All brake and coolant hoses should be checked for perishing, and the cooling system should be tested to confirm it has been refreshed, as coolant degrades over time regardless of mileage. The twelve-volt battery should be load tested, given its likely age, and the exhaust system should be inspected for corrosion at the joints and mounting points, particularly the flexible sections and rubber hangers which harden with age. The timing belt or chain service interval should be verified against the manufacturer's schedule, as a 166,000-mile vehicle is almost certainly due for or beyond this critical maintenance item. Finally, a comprehensive service history should be requested to confirm regular oil and filter changes, as high-mileage engines of this vintage are particularly dependent on consistent servicing to remain reliable.