2007 Renault Trafic 2.0L Diesel · MV57 FSA

A nineteen-year-old Renault Trafic with over 202,000 miles on the odometer presents a mechanical story dominated by chronic brake line corrosion and a rising trend of steering and suspension component wear, with the most recent outcome on 6 June 2026 being a pass only after an immediate failure one day earlier. On 5 June 2026 the vehicle was failed with a major defect for excessive play in the offside front wheel bearing, a serious safety item that would have warranted immediate repair. Brake pipe corrosion has appeared as an advisory at every single test in the record, beginning in 2021 across multiple pipes and progressively narrowing to the offside front line by 2025, where it was finally flagged as actively corroding rather than simply coated. Front brake pads and discs have also been steadily thinning and scoring since 2022, and a binding offside rear caliper was noted in both 2024 tests, indicating the braking system as a whole requires thorough inspection rather than piecemeal attention. Annual mileage accumulation of roughly 10,678 miles per year sits close to typical for a vehicle of this age, and the testing history shows consistent use with no multi-year lay-up gaps or sudden mileage spikes that would suggest prolonged storage or odometer irregularity. Tests have been conducted at fairly regular intervals between January 2021 and June 2026, and recorded mileages progress in line with expected wear for a commercial van of this vintage. However, the steady accumulation has clearly taken its toll on consumables, with advisories accumulating year on year across brake discs, pads, pipes, track rod ends, and wheel bearings, and a persistent oil leak flagged at four consecutive tests since 2022 suggests an ageing engine or gearbox seal that has not been rectified. The combination of high mileage and repeated advisories on similar component families indicates a working vehicle that has been used hard rather than one with intermittent or light service. A prospective buyer should focus their physical inspection on the areas flagged in the MOT record. The offside front brake pipe should be examined closely for live rust, pitting, or any weeping of brake fluid, as the 2026 advisory specifically notes active corrosion rather than mere surface coating. On a test drive, listen for any humming, rumbling, or drone from the front offside wheel area that changes with speed, which would suggest the recent wheel bearing replacement has not resolved underlying issues or that the nearside bearing may now be approaching similar wear, given the slight play noted on that side in 2021. Steering response should be checked for vagueness, clunks over uneven roads, or any knocking from the front suspension, as track rod end play has been flagged at four separate tests across 2021, 2022, and 2023, and a ball joint failure on the nearside front lower arm in 2024 demonstrates the suspension joints are at the end of their service life. The braking system as a whole warrants a thorough assessment before purchase. With a parking brake efficiency advisory in 2025, rear brake disc pitting noted in both 2024 and 2025, and a binding offside rear caliper flagged in 2024, the rear brake mechanism is likely to need caliper overhaul or replacement, fresh discs, and possibly new pads. Under braking, the vehicle should be tested from higher speeds to confirm there is no pulling to either side, any judder through the pedal that would indicate warped front discs, and that the handbrake holds the vehicle on a moderate incline without excessive travel. The persistent oil leak, present at every test since 2022, should be investigated for its source, whether from the rocker cover, sump, crankshaft seal, or a higher-mileage-related issue such as a failing turbo oil return line. Finally, the front suspension should be placed on a ramp or lifted to inspect the lower arms, ball joints, and bushes, as the 2024 nearside front ball joint failure and the track rod play advisories together suggest the front suspension is approaching a comprehensive overhaul rather than isolated repair.