2015 Volkswagen Caddy 1.6L Diesel · BF65 XLE

The 2015 Volkswagen Caddy presents a mixed maintenance picture, with a clear improvement in its most recent test cycle. The current MOT, issued on 21 November 2025 at 37,163 miles, passed with zero defects, a clean bill of health that followed a failure just two days prior. That failure on 19 November 2025 flagged a fractured or broken nearside front coil spring, a serious structural suspension defect that would have caused uneven ride height, compromised handling, and potential tyre damage. The fact that it was repaired and retested within 48 hours suggests the owner addressed it promptly, which is a positive sign. However, the failure itself indicates a sudden suspension component breakage, not gradual wear, and warrants closer inspection of the mating spring on the offside front and the condition of both front shock absorbers and top mounts. Mileage accumulation is notably low for an 11-year-old vehicle. Between the November 2023 pass at 31,932 miles and the November 2024 test at 34,454 miles, the van covered just 2,522 miles over twelve months. From November 2024 to November 2025, the increase was only 2,709 miles, confirming consistently light use. Annual averages sit around 3,378 miles across the vehicle's life. Such low mileage can mean reduced drivetrain and brake wear, but it also raises the possibility of prolonged standing, which accelerates rubber component perishing, brake disc corrosion, and fuel system issues. The mileage record is clean with no gaps or anomalies, and the steady accumulation pattern supports genuine low use rather than a rolled-back figure. The recurring theme across the advisory history is tyre condition. Both the November 2024 failure and its subsequent pass flagged perishing or cracking on both rear tyres, a minor but repeated finding that points to age-related rubber degradation rather than misuse. On a vehicle sitting at 37,163 miles with low annual use, all four tyres should be checked for date codes; tyres over six years old warrant replacement regardless of tread depth. The headlamp aim defects flagged in the November 2024 failure were resolved before the retest, so no ongoing lighting concern is indicated. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension area where the coil spring recently fractured. Check for corrosion on the spring seats, uneven ride height between left and right, and any play in the front strut top mounts and lower wishbone bushes. Examine the brake discs and pads for surface corrosion consistent with a vehicle that sits for extended periods, and inspect the exhaust system for corrosion at joints and box sections. The underbody and sills should be probed for structural rust, particularly around mounting points and jacking areas, as even low-mileage vans can suffer if stored in damp conditions. The clean current MOT is encouraging, but the coil spring failure is a reminder that low mileage alone does not guarantee trouble-free ownership.