2009 Vauxhall Combo 1.7L Diesel · FN59 KNM

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a pattern of reactive repairs rather than preventative care. While the most recent test in September 2025 at 155,320 miles passed, it noted an advisory for slight play in the nearside rack joint. This is a recurring issue dating back to May 2023, where play in the steering rack inner joints was flagged. The trend suggests that while major failures are addressed, the steering assembly is nearing the end of its service life. At 155,320 miles over 17 years, the Vauxhall averages approximately 9,100 miles per year, which is consistent with a typical commercial vehicle of this age. The data shows a significant spike in usage between May 2023 and August 2024, where the vehicle covered over 3,000 miles in just fourteen months. This period of activity preceded a failure in August 2024 for an insecure exhaust and worn tyres, indicating that higher mileage requires frequent inspections to ensure mechanical components are not failing between test intervals. A buyer must focus specifically on the steering and suspension due to the history of worn rack joints and fractured coil springs. The May 2023 failure identified a broken nearside front coil spring and corroded nearside rear spring; a physical inspection should check for further corrosion or structural fatigue on the remaining springs. The record also shows consistent mentions of worn brake discs across multiple years. While these did not cause a failure, the thickness of the discs and pads should be measured to ensure they are not nearing immediate replacement. The front oil leak noted in 2023 requires a close look to ensure it has not worsened into a high-pressure leak. Given the August 2024 failure for an insecure rear exhaust, the buyer should verify that all exhaust hangers and brackets are structurally sound and free of excessive rust thinning. The vehicle's age and mileage also mean that a thorough check of the chassis is necessary to identify any deep-seated structural rust that may not have been captured in the MOT advisories.