2009 Peugeot Partner 1.4L Petrol · SF09 BAO

A pattern of minor but recurring fluid leaks and a tendency for small operational items to fail at test time define this Partner's recent MOT history, with the most recent pass on 9 June 2026 accompanied by an advisory for a front fluid leak not deemed excessive. The trend across the last four years is broadly stable rather than worsening, but it is not a clean record: the vehicle failed in both 2024 and 2025 on the same defect, a non-functioning horn, and a third failure appeared in 2022 for a perished anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover. Combined with advisories for thin front brake pads, a weeping front oil leak now logged across two consecutive years, an exhaust joint leak, perished rear tyres, a temperamental fuel cap, and a noisy front wheel bearing, the record suggests a vehicle that has been kept on the road through annual testing but has accumulated a number of small, age-related defects typical of a working van of this vintage. None of the recorded items individually points to structural corrosion or a serious mechanical concern, yet the recurrence of fluid-related advisories and tyre wear items indicates that consumable upkeep has been somewhat inconsistent. Annual mileage is unusually low for a 2009 commercial-derived vehicle, with 74,421 miles recorded over 17 years equating to roughly 4,378 miles per year, well below what would be expected even for a privately used Partner. The MOT record itself does not reveal any extended gaps between tests, with annual checks consistently recorded since at least 2022, so there is no documented evidence of a multi-year lay-up. From a mechanical standpoint, this low accumulation rate generally reduces wear on the engine, clutch, gearbox and drivetrain internals compared with a higher-mileage counterpart, but it also raises the likelihood of standing-related deterioration in items such as brake discs corroding on the faces, brake callipers binding or seizing from infrequent use, dry or cracked suspension bushes, and deterioration of rubber components like the anti-roll bar dust cover that has already failed. The combination of low miles and repeated advisories for tyre cracking, exhaust joint failure and suspension component perish supports the interpretation that age-related rubber and corrosion degradation is more relevant here than high-mileage mechanical wear. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on the specific items the MOT record has repeatedly flagged, starting with the front oil leak that has now appeared on two consecutive tests, which warrants checking the underside for drips, oily residue on the sump, power steering rack, or cam cover, and any associated staining on the lower exhaust. The brake system deserves close attention given the 2025 advisory for thin front pads: the front discs should be measured for wear ridge and lip, the callipers checked for smooth operation and any signs of seizing or sticking pistons, and the pedal feel assessed during a test drive for any pulling, grabbing, or judder under braking. The nearside front anti-roll bar linkage that failed its dust cover check in 2022 should be inspected for renewed cracking or contamination, and the whole front end should be listened to over speed bumps and uneven surfaces for knocking, clonking or creaking noises from bushes, drop links, or wishbone rear bushes given the vehicle's age. The exhaust system, flagged for a minor leak between the centre pipe and back box in 2024, should be examined for renewed corrosion at the joints and hangers, and the rear tyres should be checked for sidewall cracking in line with the 2024 advisory. On the road, particular attention should be paid to the front wheel bearing that was noted as slightly noisy in 2023, listening for any humming, growling or whining that changes with vehicle speed or on gentle cornering, as a noisy bearing tends to deteriorate further rather than resolve. The temperamental fuel cap noted in 2024 should be checked for proper release and seal, and the horn should be confirmed as functioning, given its repeated failure at test. Understeer, vague steering, or uneven tyre wear on the inner or outer edges would warrant further investigation into the front suspension geometry, particularly given the historical anti-roll bar issue and the advisories for tyres worn on the edge. Finally, given the low annual mileage, the vehicle should be started from cold and observed for any excessive smoke, unusual engine noises, or warning lights on the dashboard, and the clutch should be tested for smooth take-up and any judder or slip, as low-use vehicles can suffer from seized cables or hydraulics even with modest recorded wear.