2007 Citroen Relay 2.2L Diesel · WF07 ACJ

The 2007 Citroen Relay passed its most recent MOT test on 12 November 2025, with a small collection of advisories and minor items noted rather than any failures. Reviewing the history backwards from that point, the vehicle has consistently passed its annual inspections, but the advisory items have gradually increased in number and severity, suggesting a stable but mildly worsening maintenance picture. The 2022 test recorded a single oil leak advisory, the 2023 test introduced structural corrosion advisories on both rear inner chassis sections, the 2024 test added front tyre wear and suspension ball joint play, and the 2025 test brought further suspension and handbrake advisories along with persistent windscreen damage. While none of these entries have yet escalated to failure, the trajectory indicates an older commercial vehicle that is beginning to show the cumulative wear typical of its age and mileage, and a prospective buyer should not assume the current pass equates to a fault-free van. With 152,799 miles recorded over approximately 19 years, the Relay has averaged around 8,042 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a large panel van that has seen mixed commercial and private use. There are no obvious prolonged gaps in MOT testing that would suggest extended periods of standing, although given the long service life it is reasonable to assume some intermittent downtime between tests. The mileage accumulation appears steady rather than excessive for the class of vehicle, and the diesel powertrain and drivetrain should have accrued proportional wear commensurate with that figure. For a 2.5 to 2.8 tonne commercial platform of this vintage, the recorded mileage is well within expected operational range, though the high absolute figure means consumables such as clutches, turbochargers, and gearbox mounts will be closer to replacement thresholds than on lower-mileage equivalents. The recurring advisories give a clear roadmap of areas to inspect before purchase. The offside front suspension ball joint play noted in 2025 follows an earlier advisory in 2024 for the offside front lower arm ball joint, indicating progressive wear of the front suspension linkage. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks over speed bumps, uneven kerb strikes, and on full lock, and check for uneven front tyre wear which often accompanies worn suspension components. The handbrake requiring adjustment is a common and inexpensive rectification, but it should be verified that the rear cables and caliper mechanisms are functioning correctly rather than merely compensating for a seized mechanism. The persistent windscreen damage, while minor and outside the driver's swept area, is worth monitoring for crack propagation, and the nearside mirror damage should be inspected for secure mounting and adequate rear visibility. The corrosion advisories from 2021 and 2023 warrant close physical inspection, particularly around both inner sills and the rear inner chassis sections within 30cm of mounting points. While both entries specifically noted that structural rigidity was not significantly reduced at the time, corrosion of this nature progresses steadily, and a thorough examination with the vehicle on a ramp is strongly recommended to check for any advancement, particularly in the sill jacking points and suspension mounting areas. The historic exhaust leak at the turbo to downpipe clamp should be checked for recurrence, and the previously noted engine oil leak should be re-examined for severity. Given the age and mileage, additional age-related checks are sensible, including tyre sidewalls for perishing or cracking regardless of tread depth, brake discs for corrosion or lipping from extended use, the condition and charge state of the 12V battery, the age and clarity of all fluid services including brake fluid which degrades hygroscopically over time, and verification of a complete and consistent service history to confirm that major items such as cambelt, turbo, and clutch have been addressed appropriately for the mileage covered.