2004 Volkswagen Touran 1.9L Diesel · FV04 AWM

The vehicle is currently in a precarious mechanical state following a significant failure in December 2023 at 128,336 miles. While previous tests showed minor wear, the maintenance trend is clearly worsening regarding structural integrity and mechanical components. The most recent inspection identified a critical failure on the nearside rear suspension mounting area due to excessive corrosion and a hole sill that reduced structural strength. This represents a severe progression from the surface-level corrosion and minor deformation noted in February 2023. At 22 years old, the recorded mileage of 128,336 miles averages to approximately 5,833 miles per year. However, the data shows a notable gap in usage between March 2020 at 96,517 miles and February 2021 at 104,215 miles, where the vehicle covered fewer than 8,000 miles annually. This low annual mileage often correlates with the degradation of rubber components and increased corrosion from standing, which is consistent with the split suspension arm bushes and fractured coil spring discovered in the late 2023 test. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the underbody to assess the extent of the structural rot. The tester previously flagged corroded rear sub-frames and lower suspension arms, which now appear to have progressed into a major structural failure on the outer sill. Beyond the structural risks, the braking system requires immediate attention as the history shows a recurring pattern of pitted and scored discs, alongside lagging calipers and fluctuating performance. The front suspension should also be checked for further damage to the arm pins and bushes which were already identified as worn in the final test.