2013 Peugeot Bipper 1.2L Diesel · SC62 SFY

The MOT history for this 2013 Peugeot Bipper reveals a vehicle that has cleared its tests on a stop-start basis, with a pattern of failures and advisories that point towards chronic front suspension and tyre degradation. Across the five recorded tests since 2019, two outright failures and one dangerous failure have been logged, and the most recent pass on 29 May 2025 was only secured with advisories for perished front tyres on both sides and the nearside rear. The August 2024 failure alone flagged four major defects, including an excessively worn offside front Macpherson strut top bush, a position lamp failure, and exhaust emissions exceeding the default limit, only fourteen days before the car returned and passed. This rapid pass-after-fail sequence suggests that remedial work was carried out under pressure, and the persistence of the same tyre perishing advisories across consecutive tests indicates that tyre condition is being monitored rather than proactively addressed. The earlier dangerous brake pad failure in September 2019 and the fractured nearside front coil spring plus worn ball joint in December 2021 both confirm that the front axle consumables on this Bipper have a documented track record of reaching the end of their service life prematurely. Mileage accumulation for this thirteen-year-old van stands at 98,892 miles, equating to roughly 7,600 miles annually, which is broadly in line with typical light commercial use. The testing cadence shows a notable three-year gap between the December 2021 failure and the August 2024 retest, during which no MOT data is recorded, and the annual mileage during that window appears to have been modest. The fact that major suspension components such as coil springs and strut top mount bearings have failed at relatively modest intervals, combined with brake pads worn to less than 1.5 mm at a dangerous level, suggests that the vehicle is subject to heavy urban or stop-start duty cycles that place significant strain on the front axle hardware, regardless of the overall mileage bracket. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension is the primary area requiring physical inspection. The offside front strut top bearing and nearside front suspension arm ball joint have both been flagged with excessive wear in the MOT record, so particular attention should be paid to any knocking or clonking from the front end when traversing speed bumps or potholes, looseness in the steering when turning the wheel with the vehicle stationary, and uneven or feathered tyre wear across the front axle, which often accompanies worn strut bearings. The Macpherson strut top mount bush is a known weak point on Bipper and Nemo-class vans, and a second replacement within a short ownership period would not be unusual. It is also worth pushing down on each front corner with the vehicle on level ground to check for any spring rattle, given the documented fractured coil spring, and visually inspecting the springs for any signs of corrosion pitting that could precipitate another failure. The braking system requires careful scrutiny following the dangerous brake pad finding in 2019. On a test drive, the pedal feel should be firm and progressive without any judder under braking, and the vehicle should not pull to either side, which would indicate a binding caliper or uneven pad wear. Given the recurring exhaust emissions failure, the catalytic converter and lambda sensors are worth a diagnostic check, particularly if the engine management light has illuminated intermittently. Finally, the persistent registration plate lamp and direction indicator colour defects suggest minor electrical gremlins around the lamp clusters, and a thorough walk-around at night is advisable to confirm all exterior lighting is functioning correctly before purchase.