I have a 2003 Ducato 2.8JTD Maxi Motorhome which I have just had serviced and MOT'd.

I have got some advisories on the completed Service Check Sheet
- N/S/F bottom ball joint oil leak
- Sump corroded
-Weap from steering rack gaitors

I do less than 5K per year.
I have not noticed any oil spills on the road where I have parked.
They all cost a few hundred to fix.

My questions are,
- is it necessary to get them done now?
- what are the consequences of just wait and see?
- what DIY can I do now to stop them getting worse?

Any comments would be appreciated.

Obviously if the sump is seriously corroded there is a danger of losing a lot of oil suddenly; possibly when travelling! If it''s only surface rust (and only you or a mechanic can make that judgement) you could do what I have done and paint the sump with Waxoil.

I am puzzled about the ball joint as this is packed with grease rather than oil which won't come out unless the boot is split (and I believe this is a fail) .....is it fluid from the damper?

Again I think a split in the steering gaiters would be a fail so also puzzling about this weep; do you have to top the power steering fluid up?

Thanks for your reply crossingkeeper.

The sump (in my opinion) is surface rust so I think I will coat it in Waxoil as you have done and monitor any leakage over time by placing a drip tray underneath when parked / stored.

The ball joint I have not examined yet so will check the boot for splitting and try and determine if/where the garages stated 'oil leak' is coming from.

I do not have to top up steering fluid but will try and access if there is a split in the gaitors. This will be attempted from crawling underneath as I do not have access to a pit or ramp.

Just spread a bit of old engine oil on the sump - corroded sumps used to be unheard of because older vehicles leaked enough oil to protect them.
Testers opinions vary - I have had 'Advisories' for 'perished' tyres, kept the tyres on and the following years the same tyres, now years older, passed with no comment.