2014 Volkswagen Caddy 1.6L Diesel · DF64 FTN

The 2014 Volkswagen Caddy currently holds a valid MOT pass dated 4 December 2025 at 105,360 miles, yet the maintenance trend leading up to that certificate is mixed and points to a vehicle that has received reactive rather than preventative attention. On the same date as the pass, a prior failure that day flagged a nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint at risk of detachment and an excessively worn suspension arm pin or bush, both of which are load-bearing safety items. The tester also recorded a worn and pitted front brake disc and a corroded offside front coil spring as advisories, suggesting these defects were borderline at the time of retest rather than fully resolved. The presence of a same-day failure and pass indicates the owner addressed the most critical items immediately before presenting for retest, but not necessarily through a sustained programme of upkeep. The mileage progression tells a fairly consistent story. Between 1 July 2023 at 89,552 miles and 14 August 2024 at 94,948 miles, the van covered roughly 5,400 miles in thirteen months. From that point to 4 December 2025 at 105,360 miles, it added around 10,400 miles in sixteen months, which is a noticeable step up in annual use from approximately 5,400 to 7,800 miles per year. That jump increases the rate of wear on consumables and suspension components, yet the MOT record shows no interim tests during that busier period, leaving a gap in documented condition. The annual mileage overall sits at roughly 8,780 miles per year, which is typical for a working van of this age, but the recent acceleration means wear items may be approaching replacement sooner than the calendar age suggests. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension and steering linkage. The 2024 failure identified a fractured nearside front coil spring and a worn Macpherson strut top mounting, while the 2025 failure flagged a worn suspension arm bush and a loose anti-roll bar ball joint on the same side. That cluster of defects concentrated at the nearside front corner raises the possibility of uneven loading, kerb impact damage, or simply deferred replacement of worn bushes that then accelerated deterioration in adjacent components. The offside front coil spring was noted as corroded in the most recent test, and corrosion on coil springs in this model year is a known precursor to fracture, so both front springs warrant close visual inspection for pitting, cracking, or sag. The braking system also demands attention. Front brake discs were flagged as worn and pitted in both the 2025 failure and the subsequent pass, meaning they were marginal rather than replaced outright. A buyer should check disc thickness and condition, along with caliper operation, since the 2024 failure also included an engine malfunction indicator lamp that was inoperative, hinting at potential electrical or emissions-related issues that may not have been fully diagnosed. Tyre condition has appeared repeatedly as an advisory, with a nail puncture noted in 2024, so a thorough check of tread depth, sidewall condition, and puncture history is advisable. Overall, the van is roadworthy on paper, but the pattern of last-minute repairs and recurring front-end defects means a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension geometry, brake condition, and structural corrosion is strongly recommended.