2018 Renault Trafic 1.6L Diesel · TP58 MMM

The vehicle presented a PASSED MOT outcome on 3 September 2025, though this followed immediately after a FAILED test on the preceding day due to a non-functioning nearside headlamp on dipped beam and an inoperative nearside registration plate lamp. These items were rectified between the two tests, but their presence indicates recent electrical or bulb maintenance has been required. Looking at the broader MOT history over the last four years, the maintenance trend appears broadly stable but punctuated by recurring brake-related advisories, lighting concerns, and minor exhaust and tyre issues. The presence of two Major defects at the 2023 test, followed by advisories at the subsequent pass, suggests brake components have been worked on but the underlying wear pattern has continued, which is worth noting for any prospective buyer. With 134,024 miles recorded on an 8-year-old vehicle, the average annual mileage is approximately 16,753 miles, which is notably higher than typical light commercial or passenger car usage. This sustained high usage places greater mechanical demand on wear items such as brake discs and pads, suspension components including coil springs and bushes, clutch and drivetrain parts, and turbo or engine consumables. There are no extended gaps in the MOT record that would suggest prolonged standing, and the consistent annual testing pattern indicates the vehicle has been in regular service, which is generally preferable to sporadic use for component longevity but accelerates wear on friction-based systems. The most prominent recurring issue across the MOT history concerns the braking system. Front brake discs were flagged as worn, pitted, or scored at both the 2023 and 2024 tests, while the rear inner brake discs were recorded as significantly and obviously worn at the 2023 failure. This points to a progression of disc wear that has been ongoing, and on a test drive the buyer should listen for any brake shudder under firm application, feel for pulsation through the pedal, and watch for any pulling to one side which could indicate uneven pad wear or a sticking caliper slide pin. The front exhaust minor leak advisory recorded at both the 2025 tests should be physically examined for any hissing sound on engine start, visible soot around joint flanges, or condensation drips suggesting joint failure, as exhaust leaks can worsen with thermal cycling and may progress to a future test failure. Given the high mileage and calendar age, additional age-appropriate checks are advisable beyond the MOT record. Brake fluid should be tested for moisture content as it degrades hygroscopically over time regardless of mileage, and the nearside front tyre wear advisory from 2022 should prompt inspection of current tread depth across all four corners as well as sidewalls for perishing or cracking from age, particularly given the vehicle's working van profile. The 12V battery should be load tested as batteries beyond five years commonly show reduced cranking performance, and the cooling system, including hoses and the water pump, should be inspected for any seepage. The intermittent lighting and registration plate lamp defects suggest the wiring and earth points, often located in vulnerable areas on commercial vans, merit a careful visual check for corrosion or chafed insulation. A compression or leak-down test would also be prudent given the diesel engine's likely high mileage, to confirm internal mechanical condition before purchase.