2008 Peugeot Motor Caravan 2.5L Diesel · NK08 AAE

The most recent MOT on 11 May 2026 recorded a pass, but it was preceded only four days earlier by a failure that highlighted a major wear condition on the nearside front lower suspension‑arm bush and a series of advisories covering oil leakage, anti‑roll bar corrosion, exhaust silencer rust and a slight front service‑brake binding. Earlier years show a pattern of recurring issues: from 2022 to 2025 the vehicle has repeatedly been flagged for suspension‑arm bush wear, exhaust corrosion and minor fluid leaks, with a spare‑wheel mounting fault in 2025 and a washer‑system deficiency in 2024. Although the 2023 test was clean, the overall maintenance trend is clearly worsening rather than stabilising, indicating that wear items are not being fully rectified and are likely to progress. At 47 583 mi the Caravan averages just under 2 700 mi per year, which is exceptionally low for an 18‑year‑old van. Such limited mileage often points to long periods of inactivity or very light use, both of which can accelerate age‑related deterioration of rubber components, seals and corrosion‑prone metalwork even when wear from distance is minimal. The low annual run‑rate reduces the typical wear on tyres, brakes and drivetrain parts, but it also means that any existing faults have had ample time to develop unnoticed, and that components such as hoses, gaskets and battery cells may be nearing the end of their calendar life. A prospective buyer should give the front lower suspension arms and their bushings the highest priority. On a test drive feel for any clunk, knock or excessive play when applying the brakes or steering over bumps, and check that the wheel tracks remain steady without wandering. Inspect the nearside and offside lower arms for corrosion, cracked bushings or oil seepage around the oil seal; any sign of oil on the surrounding chassis or a persistent oil spot under the vehicle confirms the leak noted in the MOTs. The exhaust system should be examined for rusted silencer sections, perforations or loose mounts, and a listening test at idle and under load will reveal ticking or hissing that indicates a leak. Verify that the spare wheel is firmly secured in its carrier, that the windscreen washer delivers a steady spray, and that the nearside registration‑plate lamp illuminates correctly – all of which were previously flagged as faults. Given the vehicle’s age, the tyre sidewalls should be checked for age‑related cracking or perishing, regardless of tread depth, and the DOT code should confirm they are not beyond six years. The 12 V battery is likely to have lost a significant portion of its capacity; a load test or a simple voltage check after a short drive will reveal its condition. Brake discs, especially on the front, should be inspected for surface rust, scoring or uneven pad wear that can arise from long stationary periods. Finally, all coolant, engine oil and brake fluid should be sampled for colour and contamination and, if the service history is incomplete, a full fluid change is advisable to mitigate the minor leaks that have been repeatedly recorded.