2007 Volkswagen Passat 2.0L Diesel · FV57 EEG

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a trend of reactive rather than proactive care. While it passed its most recent test in January 2026 at 104,647 miles, the record shows a persistent struggle with the electronic parking brake and braking components. The trend is unstable, as the vehicle failed significantly in both early 2025 and early 2026, indicating that mechanical faults are frequently ignored or only fully rectified once they reach a point of inspection failure. At 19 years old, the recorded mileage of 104,647 miles represents relatively low usage, averaging 5,500 miles per year. This low mileage explains the presence of surface corrosion-related issues rather than high-mile wear. Between February 2024 at 87,758 miles and January 2025 at 96,720 miles, the car covered fewer than 9,000 miles, suggesting it may sit for extended periods, which often contributes to the pitting and scoring noted on the brake discs across multiple years. A buyer must scrutinise the electronic parking brake system, as it has triggered malfunction warnings in three out of the last four tests. The January 2026 test highlighted a defective system despite it being to operate, which suggests an electronic or sensor fault that may be intermittent. The suspension also shows signs of age; the 2026 failure noted a fractured offside front coil spring and a split CV boot, while previous tests flagged leaking shock absorbers dating back to 2024. These issues indicate that the rubber components and springs are reaching the end of their functional life due to age rather than distance.