2018 Renault Trafic 1.6L Diesel · RF67 LFP

The most recent MOT on 17 July 2026 was a pass, but it recorded three minor items – a slightly damaged nearside obligatory mirror, an off‑side registration‑plate lamp that failed, and severe deterioration of the lower boot on the off‑side front anti‑roll‑bar linkage ball‑joint dust cover. The vehicle also failed its MOT two months earlier (26 May 2026) due to a major nearside track‑rod end ball‑joint excess play and a serious fluid leak from the nearside front shock absorber, together with a headlamp aim advisory. Since that failure the vehicle has cleared two subsequent tests without any major failures, suggesting that the most serious faults have been addressed and the overall maintenance trend is now stabilising, although the recurrence of minor items indicates that some components are approaching the end of their service life. At 115 685 miles the van averages roughly 14 500 miles per annum over its eight‑year life, which is well above the typical 10‑12 000 miles per year seen on many light commercial vehicles. This higher utilisation accelerates wear on consumables such as tyres, brake discs and pads, suspension bushings, and engine oil. The mileage also implies that the vehicle has spent a considerable amount of time under load, so any components that are mileage‑sensitive – for example the front shock absorbers, ball joints and anti‑roll‑bar bushings – are likely to be nearing the end of their design life and should be examined closely. When you inspect the van, pay particular attention to the nearside steering linkage. Excess play in the track‑rod end ball joint will manifest as a vague looseness or clunk when turning the wheel at low speed, and may cause uneven tyre wear on the front left wheel. The nearside front shock absorber should be checked for any oil seepage around the mount and for a loss of damping – a sagging rear nearside corner or a noticeable bounce on the test drive are typical symptoms. The severely deteriorated lower boot on the off‑side anti‑roll‑bar linkage should be inspected for cracks or missing rubber, as a compromised boot can allow moisture ingress and corrosion of the ball joint, leading to future steering instability. Verify that the headlamp aim is correctly set (the previous advisory indicated it was too low) and that the registration‑plate lamp on the off‑side operates, as both are safety‑critical and inexpensive to rectify. Given the vehicle’s age and mileage, also examine the tyre sidewalls for cracking, dry rot or excessive tread wear, especially on the rear tyres where the advisory on brake disc condition was noted in 2025. Check the battery terminals for corrosion and assess the charge hold, as a 12‑volt lead‑acid unit left standing for long periods can lose capacity. Inspect the brake discs for scoring or pitting beyond the advisory level and ensure the pads have sufficient thickness – the front pads were reported thin in 2024 and the rear pads in the same year, so a fresh set may be imminent. Finally, confirm that the service history shows regular oil and filter changes, coolant flushes and that any suspension or steering components replaced after the May 2026 failure are documented; time‑based fluid degradation and corrosion of brake caliper pistons are common in vans that have been idle between journeys, so a thorough visual and functional check of these systems will give you a clearer picture of any imminent maintenance outlay.