2005 Volkswagen Touran 1.9L Diesel · FH55 CHX

A pattern of chronic front suspension wear, persistent oil leaks, and repeat seat belt and indicator deterioration defines the mechanical history of this 21 year old Volkswagen Touran, and the 2023 test, while passing, continued that trend rather than interrupting it. Across the recorded MOT entries the advisory trail consistently features front suspension arm pins and bushes with wear but not yet excessive movement, front brake discs showing pitting or scoring, a deteriorated offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover, and an oil leak described each year as not excessive but never resolved. A 2022 failure for an inoperative engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is the most significant non cosmetic defect on file, suggesting an emissions or engine management issue that was present at the time of test but not subsequently investigated within the MOT framework. The 2023 pass came immediately after a same day failure on the same date, with five advisories carried forward including a cracked and edge worn offside front tyre, a damaged middle row offside rear seat belt buckle, and discoloured front and rear direction indicators on the nearside. Together these items point to a vehicle that meets the legal pass threshold but accumulates minor defects year on year without them being rectified. Against an age of 21 years, the recorded 135,129 miles equates to roughly 6,435 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this vintage and not suggestive of either long term storage or exceptionally heavy use. The MOT history shows tests in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, indicating the car has been in continuous use and presented for annual testing throughout that five year window, with no extended off road lay up that would raise corrosion or stale fluid concerns. Mileage accumulation appears steady rather than abrupt, and the absence of multi year testing gaps means consumable wear such as tyres, brakes and suspension components has progressed at a normal rate rather than being compressed by a sudden return to service after standing. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection items are the front suspension components that have appeared as advisories in four consecutive tests. The nearside front lower suspension arm pin or bush was first flagged in 2020 and the front suspension arm pin or bush on both sides followed in 2021, while the 2022 entry added a severely deteriorated offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, feel for vagueness or a delayed response in the steering on turn in, and visually inspect the lower arms, anti-roll bar drop links and bushes for perishing, splitting or excessive play with the wheel unloaded. The 2021 advisory for pitted or scored front brake discs warrants a check for pedal judder under firm braking and a measure of disc thickness, as scored discs within MOT tolerance can still produce vibration. The recurring oil leak should be traced to its source, with attention to the cam chain area, valve cover gasket and turbo oil feed on diesel derivatives common to this model, as an unresolved leak can mask more serious seepage from above. The damaged middle row seat belt buckle is a safety item that should be replaced regardless of MOT status, and the discoloured front and rear indicator lenses should be renewed to restore correct light output. Two further items merit a physical inspection rather than a road test. The parking brake lever has had little reserve travel noted in 2022, which on a handbrake mechanism of this age typically points to rear brake shoe wear or stretched cable adjustment, so verify a firm handbrake click count on a steep incline and check that the rear brakes are self adjusting correctly. The 2022 MIL failure also warrants a pre purchase diagnostic scan, as the lamp being inoperative at test time means a stored engine management fault code may still be present even though the lamp now illuminates; ask for any record of the underlying fault being investigated and rectified. Finally, examine the under trays referenced in 2020 and 2021, as their continued fitment can obscure developing corrosion on the subframe, rear axle beam and brake pipes, all of which are known weak points on first generation Tourans and should be inspected directly with the trays removed or at least viewed from beneath with a torch.