2009 Peugeot Partner 1.6L Diesel · WM09 SWY

The defining story of this Partner is one of escalating structural and front-end deterioration, with two MOT failures in late 2023 specifically flagging a nearside front sill corroded to the extent that assembly rigidity was significantly reduced, alongside headlamp aim too high. Although the most recent test on 9 December 2024 returned a Pass, the advisories issued that day suggest the underlying issues have been addressed cosmetically rather than resolved comprehensively, with both outer sills noted as previously welded and undersealed, the offside rear sill again flagged as corroded within 30cm of a mounting, and persistent front suspension arm wear recorded across multiple consecutive tests. The progression from advisories in 2022 to structural failure defects in late 2023, and now to renewed structural advisories in late 2024, paints a picture of a chassis that is steadily losing integrity on a commercial vehicle of this age and mileage. Mileage stands at 161,084 miles across roughly seventeen years, equating to an annual average of approximately 9,476 miles, which is broadly typical for a working Partner of this vintage and consistent with mixed commercial and private use. There are no extended gaps in the MOT record suggestive of long periods off the road, and the relatively even accumulation between tests indicates the vehicle has remained in active service. Mechanically, this level of consistent usage tends to keep consumables turning over and prevents the dry-joint and seal issues that plague laid-up vans, but it does mean higher wear rates on suspension components, brake hardware, and underbody metal, all of which are consistent with the items flagged in the test history. A prospective buyer should treat the front suspension as a priority inspection area, as the same nearside and offside front suspension arm pins or bushes have appeared as advisories at every test for three years running, joined by ball joint play on both sides and a track rod end with slight play. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over uneven surfaces, particularly on speed bumps and pothole approaches, and feel for vagueness or imprecise turn-in through the steering. With the steering on full lock both ways, any clunking or visible movement at the inner or outer track rod ends would confirm that the wear first noted in 2022 has progressed. The front brake discs should also be physically examined, given the advisory on 9 December 2024 for wear and pitting, with attention paid to any lip on the disc edge and any judder through the brake pedal under firm application. The chassis and underbody demand equally close scrutiny given the failed nearside sill in November 2023 and the continued advisories on sill condition through 2024. Probe both outer sills thoroughly along their full length with a screwdriver or magnet, particularly towards the rear offside area noted in the latest test, and inspect the inner sills, jacking points, and rear chassis legs for bubbling or perforation that may have been concealed beneath underseal. Examine the rear brake hoses closely at the ferrules for corrosion, as this was flagged in 2023 and could easily have worsened, and check for any brake fluid seepage when the system is pressurised. Finally, verify that the headlamp alignment is currently within specification, as the 2023 failure for a too-high beam pattern can recur if the mounting points or adjusters have worn, and is straightforward to confirm against a flat wall.