2012 Volkswagen Caddy 1.6L Diesel · AF12 WRE

The vehicle presents a questionable roadworthiness profile characterized by a trend of reactive rather than preventative maintenance. While the car passed its most recent MOT in October 2024 at 117,114 miles, the failure just ten days prior reveals a severe lapse in basic upkeep. The presence of multiple critical failures, including tyres worn to the cords, mismatched tyre sizes on axles, and significant lighting defects, suggests that the vehicle is only serviced when forced to do so by a legal test failure. At 117,114 miles over 14 years, the vehicle averages approximately 8,365 miles per year, which is consistent with typical light-commercial use. However, the data shows a significant two-year gap between the March 2022 and October 2024 tests, during which the vehicle covered over 24,000 miles. This mileage accumulation, combined with the discovery of a 2011 DOT coded tyre in 2024, indicates that essential components were likely neglected for long periods despite high-frequency operation. A buyer must scrutinise the structural modifications noted in the October 2024 test. The tester flagged the vehicle as excessively low due to a front coil over suspension fit and a modified rear axle where the axle is mounted on top of the leaf springs. These alterations change the vehicle's original geometry and safety characteristics, potentially impacting long-term structural integrity and suspension geometry. A physical inspection of the weld points and stress fractures resulting from these aftermarket modifications is mandatory. The history also shows recurring issues with the suspension and brakes, with worn ball joints, anti-roll bar pins, and shock absorbers noted across both 2022 and 2024. Given the previous failure for thin brake pads and worn discs, the buyer should verify the current state of the entire braking system and all rubber bushings to ensure the recent repairs were comprehensive rather than merely temporary fixes.