2009 Volkswagen Passat 2.0L Diesel · AF09 XAB

The most recent MOT on 2025-12-31 recorded two minor defects: a deteriorated front registration plate (not affecting readability) and worn front suspension arm bushes (no excessive movement). These issues suggest gradual wear but no immediate safety risks. The vehicle has no critical failures in this test, but the suspension bush wear indicates ongoing mechanical degradation. Earlier MOTs reveal a pattern of recurring minor issues. Tyres were near legal limits in 2025 and 2023, corrosion affected the rear sub-frame in 2023 and 2022, and child seats obstructed inspections in multiple tests. While these are not severe, the repetition of suspension and corrosion-related findings implies consistent, low-level wear. No major defects have been recorded in the last three years, but the accumulation of minor issues suggests the vehicle’s condition is not improving. The mileage of 186,739 miles over 17 years averages 10,985 miles annually, which aligns with typical usage for this age. This suggests neither extreme under-use nor heavy wear, though higher mileage could accelerate component fatigue. The absence of significant defects in the 2022-01-04 MOT indicates a period of stability, but recent tests show a return to minor faults, hinting at a possible plateau in the vehicle’s reliability.