1987 VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER1.9L Petrol

The 1987 Volkswagen Transporter shows a concerning trend of mechanical and structural wear, particularly regarding the suspension system. In the most recent test on 13 June 2025 at 118,579 miles, the vehicle passed, but the history reveals recurring issues with suspension components. The tester previously flagged the offside anti-roll bar linkage as being likely to become detached in June 2024, and the nearside suspension arm was noted as seriously weakened in June 2024 at 116,771 miles. This indicates a consistent pattern of neglect regarding the front-end stability, with corrosion on the offside anti-roll bar and linkage being noted across multiple inspections. The vehicle has covered 118,579 miles over nearly 40 years, suggesting relatively low annual usage for a van of this age. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the car covered approximately 1,808 miles, which is consistent with low mileage. However, the failure in June 2024 at 116,771 miles was due to high exhaust emissions and a defective windscreen wiper, suggesting that the owner only addresses faults when the MOT fails rather than performing preventative maintenance. A thorough structural inspection is required because the record repeatedly highlights significant corrosion. The report of a seriously weakened nearside suspension arm in 2024 is a major red flag for the structural integrity of the chassis or mounting points. While the 2025 test passed, the previous corrosion of brake pipes and anti-roll bars suggests that the vehicle is prone to advanced rust. A buyer should prioritize a professional inspection of the frame rails and suspension mounting points to ensure the structural decay has not progressed beyond economical repair.