VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT S TDI BLUEMOTION TECH2016 · 1.6L DIESEL

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat S TDI BlueMotion Tech presents a clean bill of health on paper. The most recent MOT on 20 January 2026 at 101,214 miles passed with zero defects, advisories, or failures. That is a strong result. Looking back through the full record, every single test returned a pass with no defects noted. The maintenance trend is stable and, by the evidence available, consistently good. No recurring faults, no escalating wear items, and no sudden spike in flagged components suggest the car has been looked after rather than run to failure. The mileage pattern is broadly typical for a ten-year-old car. Between the March 2020 test at 47,498 miles and the January 2026 test at 101,214 miles, the car covered roughly 53,700 miles in nearly six years, averaging close to 9,000 miles per year. There is a notable gap between March 2020 and August 2022, during which the car added just over 18,000 miles. That could indicate lighter use, a period of limited driving, or the car standing for stretches. From August 2022 onward, the annual pace picked up to around 12,000 miles per year, which is still well within normal use. No single interval raises a red flag, and the overall accumulation aligns with a car used for regular commuting or longer journeys rather than short-town trips. Despite the clean MOT record, a buyer should still inspect the underside for corrosion, particularly around suspension mounting points, brake lines, and the exhaust system. The 2022 test at 65,568 miles came at a point where surface rust often begins to appear on vehicles of this age, and the absence of any advisory then does not guarantee the condition has not changed. Check the condition of the suspension bushes, coil springs, and shock absorbers for any deterioration, and look closely at the brake discs and pads for uneven wear or lipping. Tyre condition and age also matter, as older rubber can harden and crack even with legal tread depth. On the drivetrain side, the TDI engine and manual gearbox have not triggered any emissions or mechanical concerns through the MOT process. Still, a test drive should focus on smooth clutch engagement, gearbox synchros, and any unusual vibration or smoke under load. The clean record suggests attentive ownership, but a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic remains the most reliable way to confirm structural integrity and mechanical health beyond what a periodic test can capture.