2002 Volkswagen Passat 2.8L Petrol · EF52 DLK

The Volkswagen Passat presents as roadworthy following its most recent MOT pass on 13 August 2025 at 166,413 miles, with no defects recorded. The maintenance trend is stable on paper, though the test history shows a curious pattern of immediate pass-fail cycles. The vehicle passed cleanly on 9 August 2023 at 153,050 miles and again on 8 August 2024 at 157,910 miles, yet failed on 6 August 2024 at 157,908 miles and again on 31 July 2025 at 166,413 miles before passing days later both times, with no defects logged on any failure. This suggests administrative or presentation issues at the testing station rather than mechanical faults, but the buyer should treat the double failures as a flag for verification. At roughly 24 years old the Passat shows 166,413 recorded miles, equating to about 6,934 miles per year, which is typical for the age. Mileage accumulation has been gentle and consistent: 153,050 in August 2023, 157,910 by August 2024, and 166,413 by August 2025. No rapid jumps or unexplained gaps appear in the record. The sparse, clean history across three years implies the previous keeper kept basic statutory testing in order, though the absence of any advisories on a car of this age and mileage is unusual and may mean worn consumables such as tyres, suspension bushes, or brake discs were not closely scrutinised. Given the clean MOT outcomes, no structural corrosion, binding calipers, or exhaust emissions failures have been documented. The repeated fail-with-no-defect entries on 6 August 2024 and 31 July 2025 warrant a check of the original failure paperwork and the V5C to confirm no omitted data. A buyer should still inspect the underbody for chassis rust, examine coil springs and wishbone bushes for age-related cracking, and measure brake disc wear and tyre tread in person, as these items commonly degrade silently on a 2002 model with 166k miles. The Passat is fundamentally sound per DVSA data but its age demands hands-on checks the MOT does not capture. Confirm the two anomaly failures were clerical, then assess dampers, steering rack gaiters, and coolant hoses before purchase.