2018 Renault Trafic 1.6L Diesel · SD18 PWE

The vehicle presents a worsening maintenance trend characterized by an increasing frequency of mechanical failures and consumable neglect. While the most recent test on 30 April 2026 at 60,701 miles resulted in a pass, this followed a failure just two days prior. The April 2026 failure highlighted several significant issues, including a serious fluid leak from the nearside front shock absorber, an excessively worn nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, and an illegal offside front tyre tread depth. The presence of an oil leak, noted in April 2026 and previously in August 2024, suggests a persistent but currently non-critical seepage that requires monitoring. The mileage accumulation is consistent with a vehicle of this age, averaging approximately 7,500 miles per year. The record shows a steady increase from 22,153 miles in April 2021 to the current 60,701 miles in April 2026. However, the intervals between tests show significant jumps in usage, such as the 17,000-mile increase between June 2025 and April 2026. This pattern of use, combined with the recent cluster of failures, indicates that while the vehicle is being driven regularly, essential maintenance on wear items appears to be reactive rather than proactive. A prospective buyer should conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension components. The recurring issues with shock absorbers, anti-roll bar linkages, and tyre wear suggest that the steering and suspension geometry may require attention. The history of brake efficiency failures in June 2025 and worn discs and pads in May 2022 indicates that the braking system is a known area of concern. I recommend checking the current state of the brake pads, discs, and calipers to ensure they are not nearing another replacement interval. Finally, the repeated mentions of oil leaks and the engine malfunction indicator (MIL) failure in June 2025 warrant a close inspection of the engine bay. Although the oil leak was deemed not excessive in the most recent test, the recurring nature of this fault implies a long-standing issue. Ensure the engine management system is functioning correctly and that no new warning lights appear during a test drive. The pattern of failing on tyres and wiper blades suggests the previous owner often neglected basic consumables until they reached a point of legal failure.