2013 Vauxhall Combo 1.2L Diesel · AF13 NJX

A chronic pattern of front suspension arm bush wear is the defining mechanical issue on this 2013 Vauxhall Combo, with the offside front lower arm rear bush flagged as advisory wear in April 2023, escalating to a Major failure at the same location exactly one year later in April 2024 before the vehicle subsequently passed at the May 2025 and April 2026 tests with no further suspension advisories. The recurrence within a single 12 month cycle indicates a worn component that progressed from borderline movement to a fail category, which typically means the bush was renewed between the April 2024 failure and the May 2025 pass; confirmation of the replacement part, its origin pattern part or aftermarket, and whether the corresponding nearside bush was attended to at the same time should be a priority for any prospective buyer. Against this single component failure, the broader roadworthiness record is otherwise steady, with the most recent test on 29 April 2026 passing with three advisories only, and the intervening 2022 test recorded with no advisories at all, suggesting the bulk of the running gear is holding up but the front suspension assembly warrants close physical scrutiny. At 114,800 miles over approximately 13 years of service, the vehicle is accumulating around 8,800 miles annually, which sits close to the average for its age and means the mechanical wear on consumables, friction materials and drivetrain components should be broadly proportionate to the recorded odometer reading. The MOT history shows continuous annual testing with no multi-year gaps, ruling out long periods of standing that can degrade brake discs through corrosion, seize handbrake mechanisms, and dry out suspension fluid cavities. The mileage progression between tests is consistent and incremental, lending credibility to the odometer figure and indicating that the vehicle has been in regular rather than intermittent use, which is generally favourable for keeping seals, gaiters and brake system internals mobile. The cumulative mileage does, however, place the Combo firmly into a category where clutch wear, dual mass flywheel fatigue if fitted, and timing chain stretch on the diesel derivatives should be evaluated on a road test rather than assumed acceptable purely on age. The persistent front headlamp lens product advisory, recorded at every test from April 2023 through to April 2026, points to a haze or coating that has been present for at least three consecutive MOT cycles and may be either condensation, a failed aftermarket protective film, or a deteriorating polycarbonate lens surface that has not yet crossed the test threshold for reduced light output. On inspection, the buyer should look at both headlamp lenses for yellowing, moisture beads inside the housing, or peeling coatings, and verify that main beam and dipped beam throw patterns are symmetrical, as uneven output often accompanies lens haze. The April 2026 advisories additionally noted an oil leak not classified as excessive and a minor exhaust gas leak at the rear box; the latter has now been flagged at both April 2023 and April 2026, suggesting a slow degradation of the rear silencer or its joint that should be inspected for sooting at the seams and listened for as a ticking or hissing under load. The April 2024 Major failure was centred on the offside front lower arm rear bush, and on a test drive the buyer should listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over broken surfaces, particularly on compression, and feel for vagueness in steering response or a shimmy under braking that can indicate bush compliance even after a renewal. Inspect the offside front lower arm visually for fresh paint or replacement components, and check whether the nearside has been changed concurrently, as renewing one side only typically returns within 30,000 miles as the opposite bush succumbs to the same loading. Pay particular attention to the perished nearside rear tyre sidewall advisory from January 2020, as cracking sidewalls were present on what was then a seven year old tyre, indicating either long standing periods perishing the rubber or age related degradation of the sidewall compound, and any current tyres should be examined for similar dry rot cracking regardless of remaining tread depth. Finally, the windscreen chip noted in 2021 should be re checked, as small impact damage can propagate into the driver's primary line of sight, while the rear exhaust joint can be assessed by running the engine and listening for a localised exhaust leak sound at the back box rather than a general exhaust note change.