2017 Citroen Relay 2.0L Diesel · SY67 VPC

The Citroën Relay’s most recent MOT test on 2026-03-05 confirms it remains roadworthy, yet the immediate preceding failure on 2026-03-02—just three days earlier—raises concern over a possible administrative oversight rather than mechanical failure. The lack of recorded defects across all tests suggests no persistent issues were detected by the tester, though the repeated failures at identical mileages (109,530 and 124,994) imply either a scheduling anomaly or a brief period of non-operation before retesting. Without explicit fault codes, the trend appears stable in terms of structural integrity, but the abrupt retesting warrants scrutiny of whether the vehicle was driven between failures or simply re-presented for administrative reasons. The recorded mileage of 124,996 miles over nine years equates to an average of 13,888 miles annually, which is unusually high for a vehicle of this age and category. This rate of usage suggests significant wear on high-friction components such as brakes, suspension bushes, and drivetrain synchronisers. Notably, there is a gap of 15 months between the 2023 and 2025 tests, during which the vehicle accumulated 23,971 miles—an accelerated pace that could indicate either heavy usage or prolonged periods of inactivity followed by rapid mileage accumulation. The absence of advisories or defects in any test does not negate the need for a buyer to verify whether critical components like coil springs, subframe mounts, or brake calipers have been replaced or show signs of fatigue. Given the lack of recorded faults, a buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of suspension components, particularly the rear suspension bushes and coil springs, which are prone to cracking or degradation at this mileage. The brakes, though not explicitly flagged, should be assessed for uneven wear, binding calipers, or corrosion on the rear discs—common issues in high-mileage vehicles. Structural integrity, including the subframe, sills, and wheel arches, should also be examined for corrosion, as prolonged standing or exposure to salted roads can accelerate rust penetration. The absence of advisories in recent tests does not preclude these areas from requiring attention, especially given the vehicle’s aggressive mileage accumulation.