2014 Volkswagen Passat 2.0L Diesel · AJ14 ABV

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, having passed its most recent MOT on 13 March 2026 at 146,782 miles with no defects. The maintenance trend has become unstable recently. After several years of clean passes, the car failed its February 2026 test due to a serious fluid leak from the nearside rear shock absorber and a fault with the supplementary restraint system warning lamp. These failures indicate a shift from preventative care to reactive repairs as the vehicle ages. The mileage is high for a twelve year old car, averaging over 12,000 miles annually. There was a significant increase in usage between February 2024 and January 2025, where the odometer climbed from 116,323 to 131,402 miles. This rapid accumulation of miles often accelerates the wear of drivetrain components and suspension bushings, which aligns with the recent shock absorber failure. A buyer should scrutinize the suspension and braking systems. The February 2026 shock absorber leak suggests the rear damping may be compromised, and the February 2023 test flagged thin nearside rear brake pads and uneven tyre wear across three corners. The mention of corroded front brake discs in December 2018 shows a long-term tendency toward surface oxidation on the braking hardware. Special attention must be paid to the airbag system. The failure of the supplementary restraint system lamp in February 2026 is a critical electronic fault. You should verify that this was professionally repaired rather than simply cleared, as SRS faults can be intermittent and expensive to resolve. Check all four tyres for irregular wear patterns, as the 2023 record suggests potential tracking or alignment issues.