2009 Vauxhall Combo 1.2L Diesel · KR09 EPZ

The most recent MOT (18 May 2026) was a pass, but it flagged three advisory items: the front registration plate is deteriorated, both front shock absorbers show light oil misting, and the battery is not securely fastened. These are not failures, but they indicate ongoing wear. A clear pattern emerges across the last three years: the front suspension and steering components repeatedly show mild defects (oil‑misted shocks, missing steering‑rack gaiters, play in track‑rod and anti‑roll‑bar joints) and the exhaust system has a minor leak. Seat‑belt hardware on the rear side is also consistently noted as slightly damaged or weakened. The front plate deterioration appears on every test. The April 2026 failure listed many of the same issues plus non‑working position lamps and a major exhaust leak, suggesting the vehicle has been gradually catching up on repairs rather than deteriorating sharply. Overall the trend is relatively stable – the majority of faults have been reduced to advisories rather than outright failures, but the persistence of suspension oil mist, exhaust leakage and plate wear means the vehicle is not improving dramatically. No new serious safety failures have appeared since the 2024‑08 pass, but the recurring front‑end wear warrants attention. At roughly 154 000 mi for a 17‑year‑old van (about 9 000 mi yr⁻¹) the mileage is typical for its age. It does not point to extreme hard use, but it does imply normal wear on consumables, suspension, brakes and drivetrain components.