2009 Volkswagen Caddy 2.0L Diesel · EU59 DMY

The most recent MOT test on 14 November 2025 resulted in a pass, but the record must be read in context. Just one day earlier, on 13 November 2025, the vehicle failed on three significant items, namely a rough offside front wheel bearing recorded as a Major defect, an inoperative registration plate lamp recorded as a Minor defect, and most seriously an offside front tyre with tread depth below the 1.6mm statutory minimum which was classified as Dangerous. Both the pass and the failure carry identical advisories relating to a light misting of oil on the nearside front shock absorber and reduced damping effect across the shock absorbers generally, suggesting these suspension issues were present but not deemed test failures on the second attempt after the dangerous tyre was presumably replaced. Looking at the broader trajectory, the maintenance trend is best described as worsening. In November 2024 the vehicle failed on an excessively worn rear suspension bush on the offside front lower arm, and in November 2023 it failed on diesel particulate filter smoke emissions, exceeded exhaust emission limits, and a worn nearside front suspension bush. Combined with the fractured offside front coil spring recorded in November 2022, there is a clear and recurring pattern of front suspension wear, exhaust and emissions concerns, and brake and tyre deterioration, all consistent with a high-mileage commercial-derived vehicle. The recorded mileage of 201,378 miles on a 2009 vehicle represents very intensive use over seventeen years, equating to roughly 11,846 miles annually, and this figure likely understates the true workload given the Caddy's typical role as a light commercial van. The MOT history itself shows annual tests with no obvious voids in the record, and there are no dramatic mileage jumps or prolonged standing periods indicated, which suggests the vehicle has been in continuous, regular service rather than left idle for extended intervals. For a van of this age and mileage, mechanical wear on the engine, clutch, dual-mass flywheel if manually operated, turbocharger, diesel particulate filter, gearbox and drivetrain should be considered substantial, and the cumulative effect of working mileage is far more punishing than the same figure on a passenger car. A prospective buyer should focus sharply on the recurring suspension defects. The advisories for misting front shock absorbers and reduced damping effect indicate the units are beginning to fail, and on a test drive one should listen for clonks or knocks over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, observe whether the vehicle settles or bounces excessively after pressing down on each corner, and check for uneven tyre wear particularly on the inside or outside edges which would suggest worn bushes or top mounts. The fractured offside front coil spring from 2022 and the rear bush wear on the lower arm are well-known Caddy weak points, so a thorough inspection on a ramp for cracked or sagging springs, perished bushes, and damaged strut top mounts is essential. The wheel bearing roughness recorded as a Major in November 2025 is also a current concern; listen for a humming or growling noise that changes with vehicle speed and rotates with the wheels when stationary, and check for play in the bearing by rocking the tyre at twelve and three o'clock. The brake disc advisories from 2022 noting wear, pitting and scoring on front and rear discs, combined with the 2024 advisory for brake pads wearing thin across the axle, mean the braking system is approaching a service interval and discs may have been machined to or beyond their minimum thickness. A test drive should confirm a firm pedal without sponginess, straight-line stability under heavy braking without pulling to one side, and the absence of vibration or shudder through the steering wheel which would indicate disc runout or distortion. The 2023 emission failures for visible diesel smoke and exceeded opacity limits point to either a partially blocked diesel particulate filter, a tired turbocharger with compromised sealing, or worn engine internals allowing oil consumption, all of which warrant a diagnostic read of fault codes and a road observation for excessive black smoke under acceleration. Finally, given the high mileage and age, even though no standing-related issues are evident, the buyer should still verify recent replacement of cambelt and water pump if applicable to the engine variant, confirm the 12V battery holds charge under load, inspect all coolant and brake fluid for age-related degradation, and examine tyre sidewalls for cracking or perishing, as age-hardened rubber can fail grip despite adequate tread depth.