2017 Renault Master 2.3L Diesel · VX17 ATV

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT on 2026‑02‑17 at 187 653 miles, recording only advisories on the offside front lower suspension arm ball joint (slight play, 5.3.4 (a)(i)) and a slightly worn near‑side rear shock absorber bush (5.3.2 (c)). The overall roadworthiness status is therefore acceptable, but the persistence of these items indicates that the chassis and suspension are approaching wear limits. The maintenance trend has shifted from the multiple failures seen before 2025 – including a seized steering column universal joint, brake‑pedal travel, parking‑brake inefficiency and several lighting faults – to the current modest advisory list, suggesting a stabilising condition rather than a worsening one. Mileage accumulation over the vehicle’s nine‑year life totals 187 653 miles, averaging roughly 20 850 miles per year, which is high for a 2017 Renault Master. The MOT records show a steady annual mileage rise from 66 011 miles in February 2020 to 175 593 miles in February 2025, after which the increase to 187 653 miles occurred within a single year. This recent slowdown may reflect reduced usage or periods of storage, yet the overall figure still points to heavy duty operation. The gap between the February 2025 pass and the February 2026 pass exceeds the usual 12‑month MOT interval, raising questions about compliance with annual testing requirements. Recurring faults centre on the suspension and steering assemblies. Ball‑joint play has been logged at every test from 2020 through 2026, now limited to the offside front lower arm. Shock‑absorber bushes and damping have been repeatedly noted as slightly worn or reduced, most recently in 2024 and 2025. Brake‑system issues persisted in 2025 with pedal travel and parking‑brake inefficiency, while the February 2026 failure introduced a steering column universal joint seizure. Lighting defects – registration‑plate lamp failure, missing outline markers and an insecure mirror – have appeared in several cycles, as have wiper‑blade defects and tyre/rim damage. The engine management warning light was reported inoperative in 2026, indicating a potential loss of diagnostic capability. A buyer should inspect the front suspension ball joints for excess play, test steering smoothness for any seized column joint, and examine shock‑absorber mounts and bush condition. Brake performance must be verified – pedal travel, parking‑brake operation on both sides and overall braking efficiency. All exterior lighting circuits, mirror security and wiper blades should be checked for operation. Tyre condition and wheel rim integrity need close examination given the history of cuts, cracking and distortion. Finally, confirm that the engine management warning system functions and that exhaust emissions are within limits, as the MIL’s inoperative status could mask underlying mechanical or catalytic issues.