2012 Vauxhall Combo 1.2L Diesel · FE62 ABF

A clear pattern of chronic rear suspension corrosion and persistent minor oil seepage defines the mechanical history of this 2012 Vauxhall Combo, with these issues now appearing across multiple consecutive test cycles. The most recent test on 11 August 2026 recorded a pass, but only after a failure four days earlier on 7 August which was caused by an inoperative engine management indicator lamp, a major defect under section 8.2.2.2 (g). Both 2026 tests carried advisories for an oil leak deemed not excessive, corrosion to both rear coil springs, and headlamp lens contamination reducing output marginally. The 2025 cycle followed an identical pattern: a pass with advisories for the same oil leak, both rear coil springs, and additionally an offside front coil spring corrosion advisory plus a worn offside front Macpherson strut pin or bush. A failure in August 2025 was caused by a torn anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover on the nearside front. By contrast, the August 2024 test was completely clean with no advisories recorded at all, which means the deterioration has accelerated within the last two testing cycles rather than representing a long-term stable condition. Against a fourteen-year vehicle age, the recorded 137,663 miles equates to roughly 9,833 miles annually, a fairly typical rate of accumulation for a commercial-derived light van of this era. There are no extended gaps in the testing record that would suggest a prolonged off-road period, and the mileage progression between tests is consistent with regular use rather than long-term storage. For a high-mileage commercial platform such as the Combo, this usage level means that consumables including brake pads, discs, tyres, clutch components, and engine ancillary drive items will have seen multiple replacement cycles already, while structural and underbody components have been subjected to continuous real-world loading including kerbing impacts and corrosion exposure. For a prospective buyer, the priority components to scrutinise are the rear coil springs, as corrosion advisories have now been recorded on both sides for two consecutive years, suggesting progressive material loss rather than a one-off surface issue. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear suspension over bumps, particularly when the vehicle is unladen, as a corroded spring can fracture and cause noise or a sudden change in ride height. The offside front Macpherson strut pin or bush should be checked for any excess movement by rocking the wheel side to side with the vehicle lifted, and the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage dust cover should be inspected for renewed tearing, as a contaminated ball joint will eventually develop play. Inspect the engine bay and undertray for fresh oil residue below the engine block to establish whether the leak is worsening beyond the not-excessive classification, and confirm that the engine management lamp illuminates correctly on ignition and extinguishes promptly, given the recent major failure on this exact item. Finally, check both headlamp lenses closely for haze or product residue that may now exceed the reducing output threshold at the next test.