1973 Citroen DS 2.3L Petrol · RPE 540L

The vehicle remains roadworthy as of its most recent MOT on 2024-08-29, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. While the 2024 test passed, it carried the same structural corrosion defects as the 2023 test — a rust hole in the nearside front floor and corroded boot floor — indicating no remediation occurred between tests. The recurring lamp failures, particularly on the nearside position lights and offside front indicator, suggest persistent electrical or wiring issues that have not been resolved despite multiple attempts to pass the test. The 2023 failure record shows these were already present at 89,766 miles, and the 2022 failure involved a separate indicator fault, pointing to a pattern of unresolved electrical faults rather than isolated incidents. The mileage progression is unusually steady, with only 194 miles added between the 2022 and 2023 tests, and just 194 miles between 2023 and 2024 — a total of 388 miles over 11 months. At 89,967 miles across 53 years, the average annual mileage is just 1,697, which is low for a vehicle of this age. This suggests the car has likely been stored or driven infrequently, which may explain the lack of mechanical wear but also implies potential issues with electrical systems, fluid degradation, or component stagnation. The absence of any major mechanical failures in the 2022 test, followed by the sudden appearance of corrosion and lighting faults, reinforces the idea that the car’s condition is more affected by environmental exposure and lack of use than by active wear. A buyer should inspect the nearside front floor and boot floor areas for structural integrity, as the rust holes are not cosmetic — they indicate potential weakening of the chassis and may compromise safety in a collision. The repeated lighting faults require a full electrical system check, including wiring harnesses, connectors, and bulb sockets, as these are likely not simple bulb replacements. Suspension components, particularly the front bushes and coil springs, should be examined for wear or binding, as low mileage doesn’t eliminate the risk of age-related fatigue. Brake calipers and discs should be checked for binding or corrosion, especially if the vehicle has been idle for long periods. The exhaust system and underbody should also be assessed for hidden corrosion, as rust can spread quickly in older vehicles with infrequent use.