2005 Vauxhall Combo 1.7L Diesel · FM54 NTD

The Vauxhall Combo presents a concerning roadworthiness picture as of the most recent test. The April 2025 MOT at 151,240 miles returned a failure with no defects formally recorded, following a clean pass on 14 March 2024 at 149,836 miles and a failure on 27 February 2024 at 149,835 miles. This pattern shows a worsening trend: two failures in the last two test cycles, both with no advisory or defect data captured, which suggests administrative or presentation issues at the testing station rather than a verified clean mechanical state. A buyer should treat the current failure as unresolved until proven otherwise. The recorded mileage sits at 151,240 against a 21-year lifespan, averaging roughly 7,200 miles per year, which is typical for a light commercial vehicle of this age. Between the February 2024 failure at 149,835 miles and the March 2024 pass at 149,836 miles the van covered a single mile, indicating the owner addressed the failure promptly and retested immediately. From March 2024 to April 2025 the vehicle added only 1,404 miles, showing reduced annual use. The sparse record with zero advisories across all entries gives little insight into wear on suspension bushes, brake discs, or corrosion. Given the twin failures with no defect lines, a buyer must commission a physical inspection before purchase. The tester flagged no specific items such as binding calipers, exhaust emissions, or structural integrity concerns, yet the absence of data is not evidence of good condition on a 2005 chassis. Pay particular attention to coil springs, subframe corrosion, and handbrake function, as these commonly escape undocumented MOT failures on aged Vauxhall vans. The previous owner's pattern of immediate retest after the 2024 failure implies reactive rather than preventative maintenance. With the 2025 failure still open and no recorded defects, confirm with DVSA whether the vehicle holds a valid certificate before road use.