2009 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0L Diesel · BN09 CSZ

A pattern of repeat electrical and lighting defects defines this Tiguan's MOT history, alongside emerging concerns at the front brake discs and rear subframe mounting areas. Across six recorded tests since 2020, the vehicle has accumulated three failures, two of which relate directly to lighting and registration plate lamp failures, with one involving a non-functioning dipped headlamp and a stop lamp in 2020, another for a registration plate lamp in 2022, and a third for headlamp aim on both sides in late 2023, the latter being a PRS advisory that resulted in a fail pass on the same day. The most recent test on 25 January 2025 recorded a pass but with a cluster of advisories that warrant closer inspection. Both front inner brake discs were noted as worn, pitted or scored, and the nearside front tyre was reported as worn close to the legal limit on its edge. The rear subframe mounting area was flagged for corrosion on both sides, and a minor defect was recorded for an inoperative nearside rear registration plate lamp, continuing the recurring lighting theme. Recorded mileage of 166,812 miles across 17 years equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 9,800 miles, which sits broadly within the typical range for a vehicle of this age and is consistent with regular mixed-use driving rather than long periods of inactivity or exceptionally heavy mileage. There are no extended gaps in the testing record, with annual tests consistently presented from 2020 through 2025, suggesting continuous road use. This level of consistent annual mileage means that wear-related components such as brake discs, pads, suspension bushes, and tyres will have been subjected to steady use, and the appearance of brake disc surface defects in the most recent test is consistent with that usage profile. The absence of advisories related to exhaust emissions, drive shafts, or engine running gear across the entire record suggests no major mechanical faults have been flagged in those areas to date. For a prospective buyer, the front brake discs flagged in the 2025 advisory should be inspected for lipping at the outer edge, and on a test drive any pulsation through the brake pedal under firm application from speed would indicate disc warping that may not have been severe enough to record as an advisory at the time of test. The nearside front tyre wearing on its edge, as recorded in January 2025, points to a possible wheel alignment or suspension geometry issue, so listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces and check whether the vehicle pulls to one side under braking. The rear subframe corrosion advisory, while not considered excessive at the time of test, should be examined visually for any progression, particularly around the mounting points where road salt and moisture collect, as this area tends to deteriorate further between tests on vehicles of this age. The recurring lighting defects across three separate tests are the most distinctive feature of this vehicle's record. It would be worth checking the operation of all exterior lamps, including the dipped beam function and the registration plate illumination, as intermittent faults in this area have been a persistent theme. The smoke test advisory from 2021 indicating the exhaust emissions were too clean to record suggests the engine was running very efficiently at that point, though no further emissions issues have since been recorded. Given the age and mileage, a thorough inspection of the timing chain area, the Haldex coupling if fitted to a four-wheel-drive model, and the condition of the underbody protection would also be prudent, alongside a check for any oil leaks from the engine and gearbox that have not yet been captured in the MOT record.