2002 Volkswagen Passat 1.9L Diesel · CN02 ASZ

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the maintenance trend shows a recent shift from perfect scores to active mechanical wear. In the most recent test in February 2026 at 152,235 miles, the tester identified severe deterioration of both the nearside and offside front outer drive shaft boots alongside a non-excessive oil leak. This marks a departure from the clean records seen in previous years, indicating that rubber components and seals are now reaching their functional limit. The mileage pattern is remarkably consistent for a 24-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,300 miles per year. Between March 2022 and February 2026, the car covered only 9,909 miles, suggesting very low-intensity usage of roughly 2,200 miles per year recently. While this low annual mileage explains the lack of wear on some components, it often contributes to the dry rotting of rubber parts like the drive shaft boots, which fail due to age rather than mechanical friction. A buyer must conduct a physical inspection of the front drive assembly to ensure the deteriorated CV boots have not allowed grease to escape or grit to enter, which would necessitate expensive drive shaft replacements. The oil leak recorded in 2026 requires a close look to determine if it originates from the sump gasket or a crank seal. Given the advisory for thin rear brake pads noted in February 2025, the remaining life on the braking system should be measured to ensure the owner addressed that previous warning promptly.