2009 Renault Trafic 2.0L Diesel · YD59 MFE

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a worsening trend regarding structural and suspension integrity. While the vehicle passed its most recent test in September 2025 at 153,081 miles, it failed just three days prior due to a serious weakness in the offside rear coil spring mounting. The recurring presence of corrosion across the sub-frame, panard rods, and coil springs indicates that the chassis is suffering from advanced oxidation. The transition from a failure to a pass suggests that while immediate safety concerns were addressed, the underlying degradation of the metal components remains a persistent risk. The recorded mileage of 153,081 miles reflects an average usage of approximately 9,000 miles per year, which is consistent with a 17-year-old van. Between September 2024 and September 2025, the vehicle covered 3,568 miles, indicating relatively low recent usage. This low mileage interval does not explain the extensive structural issues noted, as the corrosion appears to be driven by age and environmental exposure rather than high-mileage wear. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the sub-frame and suspension mounting points. The tester has consistently flagged the front sub-frame pins and bushes since at least 2023, and the 2024 failure specifically highlighted excessive corrosion reducing structural strength. Particular attention is required for the rear panard rods, which were noted as corroded but not yet seriously weakened in 2025. Given the history of worn tyres close to the legal limit and cut sidewalls, the buyer should also verify that the current set of tyres has been replaced and is not merely the aged set from the previous advisories.