2009 Chevrolet Captiva 2.0L Diesel · FJ09 SKV

This 2009 Chevrolet Captiva currently holds no valid MOT, having failed its most recent test on 7 March 2025 at 145,540 miles. The maintenance trend is clearly worsening. A vehicle that passed in December 2023 had deteriorated into a serious corrosion and safety failure just over a year later, with the tester flagging an excessively corroded brake pipe that may burst, a fractured offside rear coil spring, and heavy body filler obscuring structural sills. Brake performance could not be tested. The SRS airbag warning lamp has been stuck in a failed state since at least 2023, meaning the supplemental restraint system has likely been non-functional for over two years. The mileage accumulation of roughly 8,561 miles per year is typical for a vehicle of this age, and the record shows consistent annual testing from 2021 through 2025 with no unusual gaps. However, the jump of approximately 5,000 miles between the December 2023 pass at 140,574 miles and the March 2025 failure at 145,540 miles suggests increased use in that final period, which may have accelerated the deterioration of components already flagged as marginal. The vehicle stood at the same mileage for its 2025 failure as it did on the test day itself, indicating it has likely not been driven since being failed. A buyer must treat the underside and structural corrosion as the primary concern. The rear sub-frame, rear cross member, rear suspension arms, and both inner sills have all been flagged for corrosion, with the inner sills heavily filled and impossible to inspect properly. This pattern of corrosion across the rear structure, combined with a broken coil spring and insecure anti-roll bar mounting, points to advanced underbody decay that compromises suspension geometry and structural integrity. The front end shows parallel wear, with both front anti-roll bar ball joints worn, both outer CV boots split, and corroded brake pipes running front to rear. The front brake discs were worn and pitted in March 2025, with pads wearing thin, suggesting deferred brake maintenance. Beyond the corrosion, several smaller faults compound the picture of neglect. Both front headlamps had products on the light source altering beam colour, both front position lamps were inoperative, and multiple registration plate and indicator lamps were flagged. The prop shaft bearing had slight play, and the nearside front power steering component was seeping fluid as far back as December 2023. Taken together, the record describes a vehicle where basic lighting, brake pipe, and suspension maintenance was repeatedly identified but not resolved, while structural rust was allowed to progress to the point of a dangerous failure. Any inspection should focus on a thorough underbody assessment, brake pipe replacement, and verification of all SRS components before the vehicle returns to the road.