2007 Volkswagen Caddy 1.9L Diesel · BF57 LCP

The 2007 Volkswagen Caddy presents a broadly stable mechanical picture, though the most recent MOT on 8 August 2025 at 120,105 miles flagged several low-level advisories that collectively suggest the front suspension and driveline are entering a wear phase typical of a vehicle approaching 120k miles. The tester noted a frayed offside front seat belt webbing, worn nearside and offside rear anti-roll bar D bushes, slight play in the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, a light oil leak, and a light misting of oil on the nearside front shock absorber. None of these are serious failures, but the clustering of front-end wear items indicates that bushes, linkages, and damper seals are deteriorating in a consistent pattern rather than presenting as isolated defects. The mileage progression is steady and unremarkable for a working van of this age. In August 2022 the recorded figure stood at 96,472 miles, rising to 103,271 by early August 2033, then 110,531 by August 2024, and finally 120,105 by August 2025. That equates to roughly 6,000 to 7,000 miles per year, which is typical for a lightly used commercial vehicle. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden accumulation spikes that would suggest long periods of disuse or clocking concerns. The annual testing pattern has been consistent since at least 2022, which supports the view that the van has been in regular, if modest, use. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension and CV joint area during any in-person inspection. The 2024 test at 110,531 miles flagged worn lower suspension arm rear bushes on both sides, and the 2023 failure at 103,271 miles identified severely deteriorated constant velocity boots on both front outer drive shafts, with the nearside boot recorded as split and no longer sealing against dirt ingress. These are the two most mechanically significant items on the record. Worn arm bushes will cause vague steering and uneven tyre wear if left, and compromised CV boots lead to joint failure and costly driveshaft replacement. The light oil leak noted in both 2024 and 2025, along with the misting shock absorber, should be traced to its source, as it could indicate a weeping gasket or seal that may worsen over time. The rear anti-roll bar D bushes appearing as advisories in both 2023 and 2025 suggest a slow but persistent wear trend rather than a sudden failure. Combined with the frayed seat belt webbing flagged in 2025, the overall impression is of a vehicle that has been kept running without major incident but where basic consumable and wear items are now reaching the end of their service life. None of the defects recorded point to structural corrosion, brake system compromise, or exhaust emissions failure, which are the areas of greatest concern on a van of this age. A thorough test drive over uneven surfaces, checking for clunking from the front end and inspecting the CV boot condition visually, would be the most productive use of a pre-purchase inspection.