2008 Renault Trafic 2.0L Diesel · WV08 KFY

This 2008 Renault Trafic presents a mixed mechanical picture. The most recent MOT, passed on 15 April 2025 at 192,941 miles, shows a vehicle that is fundamentally roadworthy but carries several persistent minor advisories. The maintenance trend is broadly stable rather than rapidly worsening, though it reveals a pattern of deferred minor work. The tester flagged an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit on edge, an engine oil leak described as not excessive, and rear brake pads wearing thin. Crucially, a failed test just six days prior on 9 April 2025 at 192,939 miles had identified more serious issues that were rectified before the pass. These included an offside track rod end ball joint with excessive play, an engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction, and excessively corroded brake pipes both offside front and front to rear. The fact these were repaired for the retest suggests the previous owner addressed immediate safety concerns, but the recurrence of oil leaks and brake pipe corrosion across multiple years points to underlying issues that are being managed rather than permanently resolved. The mileage pattern is consistent and unremarkable for an 18-year-old commercial vehicle. The recorded 192,941 miles equates to roughly 10,719 miles per year, which is typical for its class. The history shows steady accumulation, with the vehicle covering 3,832 miles between the April 2024 test at 188,165 miles and the April 2025 test at 192,939 miles. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps in the odometer reading that would suggest clocking or prolonged periods of disuse. The annual mileage has remained relatively constant, indicating regular use rather than neglect through standing. A buyer inspecting this Trafic in person should focus on the areas that have repeatedly appeared on the MOT record. The engine oil leak, noted as not excessive in tests from April 2023, April 2024, and April 2025, is a chronic condition that warrants close examination. While currently classified as minor, oil leaks can escalate and contaminate other components. The braking system demands particular attention. Excessively corroded brake pipes were a failure point in April 2025, and the April 2023 test noted a brake pipe corroded and covered in grease or other material. Although these were addressed for the retest, the recurrence of corrosion in this system suggests the vehicle may have been exposed to road salt or moisture, and a thorough inspection of the entire brake line run is advisable. The offside track rod end ball joint with excessive play, flagged in the April 2025 failure, was clearly replaced or repaired, but the steering and suspension linkage should be checked for general wear. The offside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover, noted as no longer preventing the ingress of dirt in the same test, is another component that should be examined for ongoing integrity. Finally, the persistent rear brake pad wear and the offside front tyre wear pattern suggest the vehicle may have a slight alignment or caliper issue that a test drive and visual inspection can help identify.