2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.0L Diesel · FT61 MRO

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward developing suspension-related wear. The most recent test in February 2026 at 174,951 miles identified worn bushes on both the offside and nearside front suspension arms. While the vehicle passed despite these findings, the presence of these faults indicates that the front end components are reaching the end of their functional life, following a clean record in previous years. At 174,951 miles, this Passat has covered significantly more ground than the average, averaging approximately 12,500 miles per year. The usage pattern shows consistent high-mile operation, with 12,769 miles recorded between February 2024 and March 2025, and another 10,666 miles between March 2025 and February 2026. This steady accumulation suggests the car has been used regularly for motorway commuting, which places specific stresses on the drivetrain and suspension bushings over long periods compared to low-mileage city driving. A buyer must prioritize a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension, as the history shows recurring issues with arm bushes and a failed ball joint dust cover in 2023. The 2023 failure also highlighted thin rear pads and pitted brake discs, suggesting that brake maintenance is performed reactively once components reach a critical threshold. You should verify the remaining life of the current brake components and tyres. Given the high mileage and the recent flagging of worn suspension bushes, checking for play in the steering rack and further ball joints is essential to ensure no costly repairs are immediately imminent.