2010 Volkswagen Passat 2.0L Diesel · KN60 AAJ

The vehicle's maintenance trend shows a concerning decline in recent years, moving from a period of stability to multiple failures involving critical safety components. While the car passed several consecutive tests between 2016 and 2022, the November 2024 test at 167,393 miles resulted in a significant failure. This recent failure included worn anti-roll bar linkage ball joints on both sides, multiple tyres with exposed cords, and an inoperative engine malfunction indicator light. The presence of exposed cords on the rear tyres suggests a severe neglect of basic consumable maintenance. The mileage accumulation appears consistent with a vehicle of this age, averaging approximately 10,000 miles per year. The record shows steady usage, climbing from 91,605 miles in 2015 to 167,393 miles in late 2024. There are no obvious gaps in usage that would suggest the vehicle has been sitting idle for long periods, though the recent cluster of failures indicates that the quality of upkeep has dropped significantly compared to the cleaner records seen between 2017 and 2022. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the suspension and braking systems. The October 2023 test at 158,810 miles flagged seriously weakened front brake discs and a worn offside front suspension arm bush, indicating that mechanical wear is becoming more frequent. The tester also noted an inoperative engine MIL in the most recent test, which is a serious concern as it masks potential engine management faults. The recurring issues with tyres and suspension components suggest the vehicle may have been driven on budget maintenance schedules. You should specifically check the condition of all shock absorbers, given the history of oil misting dating back to 2013, and verify that all recent repairs to the anti-roll bar linkages and braking system have been completed to a professional standard. The presence of undertrays obscuring the underside since 2014 means a close visual inspection for structural corrosion is necessary to ensure no hidden rust has developed.