2015 Citroen Berlingo 1.6L Diesel · RX15 VFF

This Citroën Berlingo’s roadworthiness record exhibits a concerning trend of recurrent front-suspension failures, with the most recent test on 3rd July 2025—just ten days before its expiry—failing on critical ball joints and strut bushes despite a clean pass the previous month. The pattern of repeated defects in the same components (track rod ends, Macpherson strut bushes, and anti-roll bar linkages) suggests either prolonged neglect or repeated stopgap repairs rather than proper maintenance. The July 2024 failure was particularly severe, with a fractured coil spring and multiple bush failures, yet the vehicle passed the following year’s test without addressing these issues. This inconsistency raises serious doubts about whether underlying structural integrity has been properly addressed, particularly in the front suspension and steering geometry. The mileage progression indicates typical usage for its age, averaging around 10,900 miles annually, though the gaps between tests reveal irregular maintenance intervals. The largest jump occurred between the June 2023 pass (88,862 miles) and the July 2024 failure (104,267 miles)—a 15,405-mile span, which is unusually long for a vehicle with such recurrent faults. The fact that the vehicle was driven nearly 1,000 miles after the July 2024 failure before being retested suggests either a lack of urgency or an attempt to mask serious issues. The most recent test, just 109 miles shy of the 120,000-mile mark, passed without defects, but this does not negate the earlier failures. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the front suspension and steering components, with particular attention to the track rod ends, Macpherson strut bushes, and anti-roll bar linkages—all of which have failed repeatedly. The fractured coil spring from 2024 indicates potential fatigue in the suspension frame, and the binding or excessively worn bushes suggest alignment issues that could compromise handling. Corrosion in the wheel arches or subframe should also be checked, as this often accompanies suspension failures. Given the history, independent verification of whether these faults have been professionally repaired—rather than patched—is essential, as repeated failures in the same areas imply a systemic problem rather than isolated wear.