2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.0L Diesel · FT12 HWL

The 2012 Volkswagen Passat presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 9 October 2025 at 73,074 miles with zero defects recorded. That result is significant because it follows a period of notable mechanical attention in mid-2023, when the car failed its MOT on 5 July 2023 at 65,451 miles due to a fractured offside front coil spring and a nearside rear tyre worn below the 1.6mm legal minimum. The same car passed a retest later that same day, indicating the coil spring was replaced and the tyre renewed promptly. The subsequent tests in 2024 and 2025 show progressively fewer advisories, suggesting the previous owner addressed the critical failure and then maintained the vehicle to a reasonable standard. The mileage pattern tells a clear story of low annual use. Across roughly fourteen years, the car has covered approximately 73,074 miles, averaging around 5,220 miles per year. The MOT records confirm steady but modest accumulation: 61,077 miles in July 2022, 65,451 miles by July 2023, 69,759 miles by June 2024, and finally 73,074 miles by October 2025. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps in the odometer readings, which supports the view that this vehicle has been driven regularly but gently, likely covering short urban or suburban trips rather than high-mileage motorway work. Low annual mileage can preserve mechanical components, though it also means the car may have spent extended periods stationary, which can affect tyre sidewalls, brake surface corrosion, and fluid condition. Despite the clean 2025 result, the 2024 test at 69,759 miles flagged three advisories that warrant close inspection. Both front inner suspension arm pins or bushes were worn, though not yet causing excessive movement. The offside front lower anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover was severely deteriorated, which if left unrepaired allows dirt and moisture to ingress, accelerating joint wear. A prospective buyer should have the front suspension and anti-roll bar linkage inspected thoroughly, checking for play in the bushes and ball joints, particularly on the offside front where the dust cover was compromised. These are not immediate failures but indicators that the front end may need attention within the next year or two depending on usage. The recurring tyre wear advisories across multiple tests also deserve attention. The nearside rear tyre was flagged in July 2022 and failed in July 2023, while the offside rear tyre appeared on the 2024 advisory. Uneven or premature rear tyre wear on a Passat can point to worn rear suspension bushes, misaligned tracking, or a binding rear brake caliper causing localised friction. A buyer should inspect the rear tyres for uneven tread patterns, check the rear brake calipers for signs of sticking, and have the four-wheel alignment verified. The clean 2025 pass suggests these issues may have been addressed, but physical confirmation is essential before purchase.