2009 Volkswagen Passat 2.0L Diesel · AK59 FSJ

The 2025‑09‑24 MOT at 160,655 miles certifies the 2009 Volkswagen Passat as roadworthy, though the tester flagged a worn offside front lower suspension arm pin or bush that does not cause excessive movement. Earlier 2024 test repeated similar suspension wear and lighting faults, while the 2024‑09‑16 failure recorded fractured coil springs and the same suspension issue, indicating persistent mechanical concerns; the recent pass shows that remedial work may have cleared immediate safety items, but the overall trend remains one of recurring advisories rather than steady improvement. The vehicle has accumulated roughly 9,450 miles per year since its 2009 manufacture, a rate that aligns with typical usage for a 17‑year‑old car. Between 2015 (77,647 mi) and 2018 (113,955 mi) the odometer rose by 36,308 miles, averaging 12,000 mi annually, with a particularly steep increase of 20,841 mi in 2018 alone. Mileage intervals between successive tests are regular, showing no extended periods of zero usage. Recurring advisories centre on the suspension system – the offside front lower arm pin or bush appears worn in 2024 and 2025, while the near side rear anti‑roll bar linkage ball joint shows slight play in both 2024 and 2025 entries. Coil springs fractured in 2024, the drive shaft constant velocity boot deteriorated in 2023, brake pads were recorded thin and discs poor in 2015, rear lower arm bushes debonded and cracked in 2015, a front shock absorber leaked fluid in 2015, and lighting faults recurred across multiple tests. A buyer should therefore inspect the condition of the front lower suspension arm pins and bushes for play, examine the coil springs for cracks or corrosion, verify the integrity of the CV joint boot and drive shaft, assess brake pad thickness and disc wear, check for any structural rust around suspension mounting points, test all direction indicators and position lamps, confirm washer fluid delivery, and measure tyre tread depth to ensure compliance with legal limits.