2004 Volkswagen Transporter 2.5L Diesel · J18 CAW

The Volkswagen Transporter’s most recent MOT test on 21 January 2026 confirmed a passing status at 147,840 miles, though it revealed persistent corrosion in the integral body structure and front sub-frame—conditions that, while not yet compromising structural rigidity, require close monitoring. The trend over the past two tests suggests a worsening pattern of neglect rather than improvement, particularly in brake and suspension components. The January 2025 failure alone highlighted three critical faults: excessive wear in the near-side front anti-roll bar ball joint and track rod end, alongside corroded brake pipes, indicating long-term under-maintenance. Even the December 2023 test, just 2,000 miles earlier, documented severe tyre damage (tears, cracking, and underinflation) and a leaking brake hose, all of which should have prompted immediate attention. The fact that these issues recurred or persisted despite intervening tests implies either repeated deferral of repairs or a lack of proper servicing. The vehicle’s mileage progression of roughly 6,700 miles annually aligns with typical usage for its age, though the sparse MOT history—with only four tests spanning nearly three years—makes it difficult to assess whether mileage spikes or prolonged inactivity have accelerated wear. The gap between the December 2023 and January 2025 tests (3,834 miles in 18 months) is unremarkable, but the absence of intermediate servicing or inspections raises questions about how other high-wear items, such as suspension bushes or drivetrain fluids, have been managed. Without a full service history, the buyer cannot assume that critical components like the differential or transfer case have been addressed, even if the MOT record does not explicitly flag them. A prospective buyer should prioritise an independent inspection of the front suspension, particularly the near-side components that failed in January 2025—the anti-roll bar ball joint and track rod end—alongside the corroded brake pipes, which may indicate broader fluid system issues. The rear suspension should also be scrutinised for uneven wear or binding, given the 2023 advisory about coil spring fouling on the near-side rear brake pipe. Tyre condition remains a red flag; the 2023 failures on both rear tyres (tear and cracking) and the underinflated front tyre suggest either poor maintenance or aggressive driving habits. Finally, the bodywork corrosion, while not yet structurally critical, demands verification that the rust has not progressed since January 2026—especially around the wheel arches, sills, and sub-frame mounts, where hidden deterioration could compromise safety.