2013 Volkswagen Caddy 1.6L Diesel · PF13 AAN

A recurring theme of rear tyre wear on both sides is the defining mechanical story of this Volkswagen Caddy's MOT history, appearing as an advisory at every recorded test from 2022 through 2024 before disappearing from the 2025 and 2026 certificates. The 2024 cycle is the only blip in roadworthiness, when the vehicle failed on 6 April due to both front wiper blades failing to clear the windscreen effectively, classed as Major defects; it returned three days later and passed with the same rear tyre advisories still on file. Beyond that isolated wiper episode, the only other recurring items are minor mirror damage on the offside and intermittent rear registration plate lamp inoperative, all of which are low-risk cosmetic or trivial electrical issues. The most recent test on 10 April 2026 recorded a clean pass with no advisories or defects, which is the strongest single outcome on file, though the underlying pattern of symmetrical rear tyre wear warrants close physical inspection rather than dismissal. With 80,408 miles recorded over approximately thirteen years, the vehicle is averaging around 6,185 miles per year, which sits squarely within typical parameters for a commercial-derived Caddy of this age and avoids the extremes of either low-mileage disuse or high-mileage component fatigue. The testing gaps in the record are worth noting: there is no entry for 2023, meaning either an early pass was not captured, the vehicle was exempt from testing for part of that period, or it underwent a change in keeper or test station reporting. Equally, the mileage progression between the 2022 test and the 2024 tests implies roughly 5,000 to 6,000 miles per year in that window, so there is no evidence of rapid accumulation that might accelerate wear on timing chains, dual-mass flywheels, or turbocharger bearings, nor of extended standing that would risk seized calipers or perished coolant hoses. The usage profile is therefore neutral rather than mechanically telling either way. For a prospective buyer, the persistent symmetrical rear tyre edge wear on both sides is the single most important physical check to perform, as it typically points to either a rear axle geometry issue, weak or sagging rear coil springs, worn trailing arm bushes, or a combination of all three which is common on Caddys of this generation. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear over speed bumps and undulating roads, pay attention to any vagueness in straight-line stability or a tendency for the rear to squat excessively under load, and inspect the rear springs for any visible cracking, corrosion pitting, or broken coils. The nearside front service brake binding advisory from 2022 is the other item to verify, so feel for any pulling to the nearside under light braking, uneven pad wear on the nearside front disc, or a caliper that fails to retract smoothly when warm. The front wiper failure in 2024 is unlikely to recur but is a useful reminder to confirm both wiper arms park correctly, the linkages are free from play in the scuttle panel, and that no water ingress has migrated into the footwell, which is a known Caddy weak point and can affect the front electrics including mirror adjustment. Lift the bonnet and check for any residual dampness around the plenum chamber and confirm all ancillary drive belts are free from fraying. Given the commercial origins of this vehicle, inspect the load area floor, rear suspension turrets, and underbody for any corrosion bubbling around the wheel arches, brake pipe unions, and the rear crossmember, paying particular attention to the handbrake cable run which is prone to corrosion-related seizure on Caddys used for heavy load cycles. Finally, verify that both exterior mirrors are securely mounted and that the glass is intact, and confirm the rear registration plate illumination functions on both lamps, as these minor advisories have appeared repeatedly and may simply need a few minutes of rectification.