2015 Vauxhall Combo 1.2L Diesel · DS65 CPU

A pattern of front suspension wear is the defining mechanical theme of this 2015 Vauxhall Combo. Across the three most recent MOT tests, anti-roll bar components have been flagged repeatedly at the front axle: in November 2023 an offside front upper anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover failed to keep dirt out, in November 2025 the nearside front anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover suffered the same defect and the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint was recorded as excessively worn, and an exhaust emission failure was also logged on the same 2025 visit with an opacity reading above the 0.7m-1 default limit. Two of the last three annual tests resulted in failure before a pass was secured on a re-test, and the 2025 retest on the same day only recorded a single minor windscreen defect, indicating the anti-roll bar work and exhaust repair were addressed directly. The 2022 and 2021 tests were clean with no advisories, so the recent cluster of front-axle and exhaust defects represents a shift from a previously unblemished record rather than a long-running trend. The recorded mileage of 99,859 miles across roughly eleven years equates to an average annual accumulation of around 9,078 miles, which is broadly typical for a commercial-derived van of this age. There are no unusual gaps in the annual testing history and no evidence of extended standing periods, with tests recorded in consecutive late-autumn months from 2021 through 2025. Given the consistent year-on-year use, the wear pattern observed on the front suspension is consistent with steady mileage accumulation taking its toll on the smaller bushes, ball joints and dust covers that are common failure points on vehicles of this age and usage profile, rather than indicating any long periods of disuse or sudden high-mileage abuse. Tyre wear has also been flagged several times in the same period, with cuts and inner-edge wear noted on the nearside front and both rear inners between 2023 and 2024, which together with the suspension findings points to wear being distributed across the front axle and wheel assemblies. For a prospective buyer, the priority on inspection should be the front anti-roll bar and its linkages, given that dust cover deterioration on both sides and an excessively worn ball joint have been recorded within two years of each other. On a test drive, listen for clonks or rattling from the front end over uneven roads, particularly over speed humps and potholes, and feel for any vagueness or shimmy through the steering wheel that can accompany worn anti-roll bar joints. With the vehicle unladen, push and rock each front corner while listening for play or knocking from the suspension, and visually inspect the rubber dust covers on the anti-roll bar links and ball joints for splits, grease loss, or perished lips. The 2025 exhaust emission failure should also be investigated; ask for any receipts or evidence of repair to the exhaust system, catalyst or lambda sensors, and on first start from cold listen for any irregular exhaust note, ticking, or blowing that could indicate an unresolved joint or seal issue. The recurring tyre cuts and inner-edge wear noted in 2023 and 2024 warrant a close look at current tread depth across all four corners, with particular attention to uneven inner-edge wear which can be symptomatic of worn suspension bushes or tracking misalignment that may not have been fully resolved. Finally, although the central windscreen damage has been consistently classed as minor and not affecting the driver's view, it has been recorded at every test since 2023 and should be inspected for any spreading cracks before purchase.