2016 Citroen Relay 2.2L Diesel · PO16 FPE

The vehicle presents an inconsistent roadworthiness profile characterized by a reactive maintenance approach rather than preventative care. While the van passed its most recent test in May 2024 at 111,654 miles, this followed a failure just five days prior where multiple safety-critical defects were identified. The trend remains unstable, as the owner appears to address faults only when forced by an MOT failure, evidenced by the transition from a significant failure to a pass within a very short window. At 111,654 miles over ten years, the Citroen Relay averages approximately 11,000 miles per annum, which aligns with typical commercial usage patterns for this model. However, there is a notable gap in recorded data between March 2022 and January 2023, where the vehicle covered only 156 miles in ten months. Conversely, the van accumulated nearly 12,000 miles between the January 2023 and May 2024 tests, indicating a period of high intensity following a period. which likely explains the accelerated wear observed on the suspension and braking components. A buyer must prioritize a thorough inspection of the braking system due to recurring failures. The 2022 failure flagged a binding nearside front caliper, spongy pedal travel, and poor brake efficiency, while the 2024 failure showed the parking brake remained below requirements. These symptoms suggest potential issues with the hydraulic system or caliper corrosion that were not fully rectified. Furthermore, the offside front inner track rod end showed play in 2024 indicates that the steering geometry is beginning to reach the end of its service life, leading to uneven tyre wear. The bodywork also requires close scrutiny as damage was noted in early 2022 and persisted into subsequent records. The 2024 test also highlighted front tyres worn close to the legal limit and on the edges, which often points to incorrect wheel alignment or worn control arm bushes. Given the history of an inoperative engine management lamp in 2022, a diagnostic scan is essential to ensure no hidden fault codes are present in the engine control unit that were not cleared during the visual MOT inspection.