VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER2013 · 2.0L DIESEL

The 2013 Volkswagen Transporter remains roadworthy having passed its most recent MOT on 16 January 2026 at 64,514 miles, but the maintenance trend is worsening rather than stable. In that January 2026 test the examiner identified nearside and offside front lower suspension arm rear bushes worn without excessive movement, front brake discs pitted or scored though not seriously weakened, and all four tyres degraded with front edge wear and rear sidewall cracking. These faults extend advisories first raised on 20 January 2025 at 62,449 miles, where the same suspension bushes and merely worn front discs appeared. The trajectory shows creeping mechanical deterioration across two consecutive tests. The mileage record reveals light use for a thirteen year old van. From the 17 January 2022 test at 54,619 miles to the 16 January 2026 test at 64,514 miles the odometer advanced only 9,895 miles, an average of roughly 2,470 miles each year. Against the total life span this equates to about 4,960 miles annually, suggesting either short urban trips or extended periods off the road. Testing stayed continuous with no missed years, and the clean passes of January 2022, January 2023 at 57,622 miles, and January 2024 at 59,995 miles confirm the earlier keeper maintained the vehicle to a reasonable standard before the recent advisory creep. Recurring front lower suspension arm bush wear demands a hands-on inspection of the rear bushes for splits or measurable play, as the condition persisted unchanged between January 2025 and January 2026 and hints the previous owner tolerated known wear. The front brake discs degraded from worn to pitted or scored within twelve months; a buyer should gauge remaining disc thickness and check for scoring that could compromise pad bedding. Tyre neglect is evident: the front pair reached the legal limit on edges while the rear pair perished, indicating basic consumable replacement was deferred despite annual warnings. No structural corrosion or chassis integrity defects appear anywhere in the five year record, so the underlying bodywork seems sound for the age. The pattern implies a keeper who met MOT minimums but skipped discretionary rectification. Prior to purchase, commission a workshop to confirm suspension geometry, brake disc condition, and tyre fitness, as the documented advisories will soon become failures without intervention.