2021 Citroen Relay 35 L3H2 Eprise Bhdi S/S 2.2L Diesel · YP71 FHG

A clean and largely uneventful MOT record defines this Citroen Relay's roadworthiness profile, with two successive passes at the 2024 and 2025 tests carrying no advisories or defects whatsoever. The sole blemish on the file is a single Major failure dated 28 October 2024 for an offside front tyre with a cut deep enough to reach the ply or cords, which was evidently rectified before the vehicle returned to the test station just two days later on 30 October 2024 and passed cleanly. There is no recurring pattern of brake, suspension, lighting, corrosion, or exhaust issues across any of the recorded tests, and crucially no advisories hinting at developing wear on items such as brake discs, coil springs, bushes, or structural components. For a commercial vehicle of this type and age, such a sparse advisory history is a strong indicator of either genuinely low wear or limited mechanical scrutiny to date, and a buyer should weigh this against the mileage context. At 17,721 miles over roughly five years of service, this Relay has covered an average of approximately 3,544 miles per year, which sits well below typical commercial van utilisation and is more consistent with light-duty or part-time deployment. The progression between tests shows a modest annual addition rather than any rapid mileage accumulation, and there are no extended gaps in the MOT history that would suggest a prolonged period off the road. Mechanically, this relatively low annual mileage means the major wear items typically associated with vans driven hard every day, including clutch friction material, turbocharger vanes, dual-mass flywheel integrity, EGR valve carboning, and DPF soot loading, are unlikely to have accumulated significant fatigue. However, low mileage vans carry their own considerations, particularly around diesel system health if the vehicle has spent long stretches underutilised, so confirmation of regular running and timely oil and filter changes from supporting service records would be reassuring. Given that the MOT file itself flags no specific suspension, brake, or steering components, the inspection focus on a physical viewing should logically centre on the items most likely to deteriorate with age rather than use on a vehicle like this. On a test drive, pay particular attention to the front suspension for any clonking or knocking over uneven roads, which would point to worn anti-roll bar drop links, wishbone bushes, or top mount bearings that often degrade with age on the Relay platform regardless of mileage. Check the steering for any vagueness, tramlining, or uneven tyre wear across the front axle, as misalignment from kerb contact can develop silently. Listen for any binding or grinding from the front brakes on low-speed manoeuvres, feel for a soft or spongy pedal under firm application, and verify that the handbrake holds the van on an incline, since rear drum or caliper mechanisms left unused for extended periods can seize. Beyond the chassis, a thorough physical inspection should include close examination of the offside front tyre sidewall for any repairs, bulges, or scarring, given the prior cut failure, and a check that the replacement tyre fitted after the 2024 test is of matching size, load index, and speed rating. Inspect the full length of the underside including brake pipes, fuel lines, and the rear subframe mounting points for any surface corrosion, particularly around the rear axle and exhaust hangers, as commercial vans often carry road salt residue in the sills and floor pans. Verify that all diesel emissions control systems are functioning by ensuring no warning lights remain illuminated on the dashboard at ignition, particularly the DPF, EGR, and AdBlue indicators. Finally, confirm that the van starts promptly from cold without excessive smoke from the exhaust and idles smoothly, as these are practical indicators of underlying engine, turbocharger, and fuel system health on a BlueHDi unit that may have seen intermittent use.