2006 Vauxhall Combo 1.7L Diesel · Y333 BRS

The 2006 Vauxhall Combo passed its most recent MOT on 19 February 2026 at 155,318 miles, but the record shows a worsening maintenance trend. Two days earlier, on 17 February 2026, the same vehicle failed at 155,270 miles with a fractured offside front anti-roll bar linkage, excessively worn nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint, and a nearside rear sill section so heavily corroded it significantly reduced structural strength. All four drive shaft CV boots had split or come loose, letting dirt ingress straight onto the joints. The February 2026 pass merely confirms those defects were repaired, yet the tester still logged a minor exhaust gas leak and a non-excessive oil leak. Annual mileage sits at roughly 7,766 per year against the 155,318 total, which is typical for a twenty-year-old light commercial. The record is not sparse: between 17 February 2025 at 144,006 miles and 19 February 2026 the van covered only 11,312 miles, a slight drop from the 4,225 miles added in the prior year. A clean 20 February 2024 pass at 139,781 miles followed a 3 February 2024 failure for offside rear outer sill corrosion that cut structural rigidity and a low front suspension observation, showing the body had already begun rotting before the 2026 sill failure. Recurring corrosion across both rear sills marks the most serious risk. The 2024 outer sill failure and 2026 inner sill section loss confirm an ongoing structural decay that a buyer must inspect on a ramp, probing the full length of both sills and the suspension mounting points. The repeated CV boot failures suggest the previous owner deferred basic drivetrain protection; check the drive shafts for worn joints and fresh grease loss. Brake wear also needs a physical look. The 2025 test flagged pitted rear discs and slight corrosion on the offside front brake hose ferrule, while all shock absorber casings showed corrosion. Verify disc thickness, hose condition, and shock sealing. The minor exhaust leak and engine oil seepage from 2025 and 2026 remain live advisories, so confirm the exhaust flange and rocker cover gasket before purchase.