2010 Citroen Relay 2.2L Diesel · OY10 XTN

The mechanical story of this 2010 Citroen Relay is one of repeated braking and tyre-related failures over the four recorded test cycles, with three of those visits resulting in failure notices and two of them carrying Dangerous defect categorisations. The most recent test on 2025-08-27 produced a Pass, but only after the same date logged a Dangerous failure for both front tyres falling below the 1.6mm tread requirement, alongside a long-standing advisory for pitted and worn front brake discs on both sides. A closer look at the history shows a similar pattern in 2023, when the vehicle was failed for dangerously worn front and rear brake pads under 1.5mm thick, a dangerously threadbare offside front tyre, and major defects affecting the nearside obligatory mirror. The earlier 2022 test recorded further lighting and repeater lamp failures, while 2024 combined a registration plate lamp failure with tyre wear advisories on the nearside front and rear inner edges. Across consecutive annual tests, the same components - front discs, front brake pads, front tyres, and various lighting items - keep reappearing, which suggests that consumable replacement on this van has not always been carried out ahead of the test deadline. With 80,548 miles recorded over approximately sixteen years, this Relay averages around 5,034 miles per year, which is markedly low for a commercial vehicle of this class and indicates either extended periods of light use, long standing-off periods, or a working life largely confined to short local trips. From a mechanical perspective, low annual mileage on a heavy van does not necessarily equate to preserved condition; the wear pattern visible in the MOT history - particularly the recurring brake pad and disc wear at relatively modest mileages - points to short-journey duty where brakes are used heavily from cold and the components never get a chance to fully warm through, accelerating surface corrosion and pad wear. Equally, extended standing periods combined with low mileage often lead to under-loaded suspension, which can allow bushes and springs to deteriorate and tyres to develop flat spots or uneven shoulder wear, the latter being consistent with the nearside front and rear inner edge wear advisories logged in 2024. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is to budget for a full front brake refurbishment, as the discs were already noted as pitted and worn at the last test and the pads were found dangerously thin only two years earlier. On a road test, listen for any scoring or grinding noise under light braking, feel for judder through the pedal or steering wheel which would indicate disc runout, and check that the vehicle pulls up squarely without pulling to one side, which could indicate a binding caliper. Inspect both front tyres for inner-edge wear, as the 2024 advisory specifically flagged this geometry, and verify that there is no camber-induced feathering on the tread blocks. A thorough underside inspection is warranted, paying close attention to the front subframe, suspension arms, and anti-roll bar drop links for corrosion or perished bushes, as commercial vans of this age are particularly prone to rust in these areas even with modest mileage. The 2024 advisory for a non-excessive front oil leak should also be monitored by checking the under-bonnet area and underside for fresh oil residue and by observing the level and condition of the engine oil on the dipstick, as low-mileage short-trip use often leads to oil contamination and seal hardening. The various lighting defects - registration plate lamps and side repeaters - are inexpensive to remedy but their repeated appearance suggests electrical connections may be corroded, particularly around the rear clusters. Confirm that the nearside door mirror is intact, securely mounted, and provides a clear rear view, as it was failed twice for damage in 2023. Finally, given the low annual mileage, verify the service history independently, as long gaps between use can leave fluids, drive belts, and the cooling system in a deteriorated state even when the vehicle has covered few miles, and ensure the handbrake holds firmly on an incline, since rear brake pad wear was flagged as dangerously low in 2023.