2016 Volkswagen Amarok 2.0L Diesel · AP65 FEM

A largely clean roadworthiness record defines this Volkswagen Amarok, with three consecutive passes recorded at the 2024, 2025, and 2026 tests and no advisories issued at the most recent examination on 26 January 2026. The single deviation from an otherwise unblemished history is a fail recorded at the same 2025 visit, where an offside rear service brake was found to be binding so severely that it could not be turned by hand. That defect was presumably rectified before the pass issued on the same date, as the subsequent 2026 test recorded no brake-related advisories and the system has since met standards. Aside from this isolated braking event and a single advisory in 2023 concerning edge wear on both front tyres, the Amarok presents a stable, mechanically tidy MOT profile with no advisories relating to corrosion, suspension, steering, or drivetrain integrity, which is a reassuring indicator for a ten-year-old utility vehicle. Annual mileage averaging around 8,471 miles over the vehicle's ten-year life sits squarely within typical parameters for its age, indicating neither prolonged periods of standing nor particularly heavy commercial use. There are no gaps in the testing record and no sudden jumps in accumulated mileage between consecutive tests, suggesting consistent usage rather than any abrupt change in driving pattern or workload. For a vehicle of this type and age, this level of use generally means that consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and drive belts will have worn at a steady, predictable rate rather than reaching extreme end-of-life conditions, although the suspension and driveline components of a load-bearing pickup should always be assumed to carry some wear given the inherent demands of the body style. Given that the only recorded mechanical failure concerned an excessively binding offside rear brake caliper, particular attention should be paid to the rear braking system during a physical inspection and test drive. With the engine running and the vehicle stationary, listen for any scraping, clicking, or grinding from the offside rear wheel area and feel for excessive heat from that wheel after even a short drive, as a caliper with a sticking piston or seized slider can quickly generate noticeable warmth. During the road test, pay close attention to whether the vehicle pulls to one side under braking, whether the rear of the Amarok feels reluctant to release, and whether there is any vibration or uneven pedal response that might suggest the caliper is again beginning to bind. Given the Amarok's rear drum or caliper configuration and its towing capability, it is also prudent to check the handbrake travel and holding strength, as a binding rear caliper can compromise the parking brake's effectiveness. The 2023 advisory of edge wear on both front tyres is worth treating as a useful prompt to examine the steering and suspension geometry, even though no recurrence has been recorded since. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front end, particularly over uneven surfaces or speed bumps, which could indicate worn suspension bushes, top mounts, or anti-roll bar linkages. Check for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear on the current set of tyres, as well as any feathered tread pattern when running a hand across the surface, as this typically points to tracking misalignment or worn wishbone bushes. Although no corrosion advisories have appeared on the MOT record to date, the underside of any ten-year-old commercial vehicle should still be visually inspected for early surface oxidation on subframe mounting points, brake pipes, and the exhaust system, particularly given the Amarok's known exposure to road salt in service.