2006 Volkswagen Caddy 2.0L Diesel · AF06 LXM

The most recent DVSA examination on 15 February 2024 resulted in a PASS, although the vehicle carries a notable cluster of advisories and one minor defect which together suggest the Caddy is approaching a period of more meaningful mechanical refurbishment rather than being in peak roadworthy condition. The recorded issues are nearside and offside front coil spring corrosion, a nearside front oil leak not considered excessive, an inoperative offside rear registration plate lamp, and a nearside front tyre worn close to the legal limit at 3mm. Looking back through the test history, the trend is best described as gradually worsening rather than deteriorating acutely. The 2022 test was clean of failures but already flagged corroded rear brake pipe and discs and four tyres close to the legal limit, and the 2024 visit added front coil spring corrosion and an oil leak to that picture. The intervening failure on 12 February 2024 for parking brake efficiency below requirements is particularly significant because it indicates that the issue was already present and severe enough to fail before being rectified in time for the re-test three days later, meaning the handbrake mechanism should be considered a live concern. Recorded mileage stands at 132,878 miles across approximately twenty years of service, which equates to an annual average of around 6,600 miles, broadly typical for a light commercial of this vintage. That said, the gap between the 2020 and 2022 tests represents a two-year interval during which very little use is implied by the MOT record, and the jump from the 2022 to the 2024 visits covers roughly 14 months. Moderate annual mileage in commercial vehicles tends to be more sympathetic to the engine and gearbox than to the bodywork, brakes, suspension bushes and undertray, all of which suffer more from urban stop-start duty, kerbing, and exposure to weather than from motorway mileage. The clustering of chassis, brake, and underbody advisories in recent tests is consistent with that profile. For a prospective buyer, the recurring coil spring corrosion warrants close physical attention because springs that are flagged as corroded on a Caddy of this age typically progress towards fracture, particularly given that the offside front spring actually fractured and caused a major failure as recently as January 2019. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks transmitted through the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and inspect the springs visually for surface pitting or flaking. The rear brake disc pitting and scoring, alongside the brake pipe corrosion advisory, suggests imminent disc and possibly caliper refurbishment; expect brake shudder under firm pedal pressure and a handbrake that may feel weak or require excessive lever travel, which ties into the recent parking brake efficiency failure. Inspect the inner and outer faces of all discs for a pronounced lip and ridging, and check the flexible brake hoses for cracking or perishing as these were also flagged in 2019. The nearside front oil leak, although not currently excessive, should be identified to its source before purchase because oil contamination on the lower exhaust or undertray accelerates component degradation and will worsen with time. Beyond the recorded defects, this twenty-year-old diesel Caddy requires several age-related inspections that the MOT history will not capture. Tyre sidewalls should be examined closely for cracking and perishing caused by UV exposure, regardless of the tread depth which on the advisory tyres must now be replaced. The 12 volt battery is likely due for replacement given its age and intermittent use pattern, and the charging system should be observed for stable voltage at idle. Brake fluid, coolant, and any automatic or manual gearbox oil should be treated as overdue for calendar-based replacement, typically every two years for brake fluid and longer intervals for coolant and transmission fluids. Finally, walk around the load area and sills checking for the rust that affects earlier Caddy generations, verify the service book stamps align with the recorded mileage, and confirm that the cambelt and water pump replacement interval, usually every four to five years or 60,000 miles on the diesel engines, has been observed, as a skipped timing belt service on an engine of this age is a serious and expensive concern.