2016 Mercedes-Benz Citan 1.5L Diesel · RK66 ABV

A consistent record of MOT pass results with only a single minor advisory suggests this Mercedes-Benz Citan has maintained a broadly sound mechanical condition through its testing history, with no recorded failures or structural concerns appearing across the available inspections. The most recent test on 2024-08-05 returned a clean pass with no defects or advisories, continuing the stable trend established over the previous cycles. The solitary advisory, issued on 2023-08-08 for a nearside rear tyre worn close to the legal limit and perished at 2mm tread, is a relatively common finding on commercial-derived vans of this age and does not in isolation suggest any systemic deterioration. The absence of any advisories relating to corrosion, suspension wear, brake component condition, or exhaust integrity across all three recorded tests is a positive indicator for a vehicle of this mileage bracket, particularly given the Citan's known susceptibility to rear subframe and underbody corrosion in later life. Overall, the DVSA record paints a picture of a van that has remained roadworthy throughout its tested life without any chronic or escalating mechanical concerns. With 147,731 miles accumulated over approximately ten years, this Citan is running at roughly 14,773 miles per year, which is notably high for a vehicle in this class and points to sustained commercial or fleet-style usage. The mileage progression between tests suggests continuous operation rather than periods of inactivity, meaning consumables and drivetrain components have been subjected to regular working rather than the additional stresses of cold starts after long standing periods. At this annual accumulation rate, wear-related items such as clutches, dual-mass flywheels, turbochargers, and suspension linkages will typically have already been replaced at least once, and the second cycle of replacement may be approaching. The high mileage also elevates the probability of non-tested components such as injector failure, EGR valve contamination, dual-mass flywheel rattle on overrun, and timing belt service intervals requiring verification beyond what the MOT history alone can confirm. From a buyer's perspective, the test drive should focus heavily on areas not directly covered by the MOT inspection, particularly the clutch take-up point and any shuddering under load, as well as listening for timing chain rattle on cold ignition. The 1.5-litre diesel variants are known for injector failure and EGR valve sticking, both of which present as rough idle, hesitation under acceleration, or a loss of power, so careful observation of the engine management light during the test is essential. Any signs of blue smoke on overrun or under hard acceleration would warrant close inspection of the turbocharger and associated seals, while excessive play in the steering or knocking from the front suspension when traversing speed humps could indicate worn lower wishbone bushes and anti-roll bar drop links, which are common replacement items on high-mileage Renault-derived platforms. Given the recorded mileage and the advisory for rear tyre wear, a thorough physical inspection should include a close examination of all four tyres for uneven shoulder wear, which may indicate tracking misalignment or worn rear beam bushes allowing toe change under load. The nearside rear tyre specifically should be checked for any signs of perished sidewall cracking or uneven inner-edge wear, as this was the location of the 2023 advisory and could recur. Brake feel should be assessed for firmness and any pulling to one side under moderate pedal pressure, while the handbrake holding force on an incline should be confirmed given the high annual mileage. Finally, verification of the timing belt or chain replacement history, along with evidence of recent clutch, dual-mass flywheel, or turbo servicing, is strongly advised, as these are the most likely sources of future expenditure on a Citan of this age and working mileage, regardless of its otherwise unblemished MOT record.