2004 Volkswagen Transporter 1.9L Diesel · KS53 VFW

The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a persistent trend of neglected front suspension and braking rubberwork. The most recent test in May 2025 at 115,666 miles passed with multiple advisories related to deteriorated ball joint dust covers and brake hoses. These specific issues are identical to the faults recorded in September 2019 at just a few miles prior, indicating that the previous owners only addressed components as they approached a failure point rather than performing proactive preventative maintenance. The mileage profile is exceptionally low for a 22-year-old Trans, averaging approximately 5,258 miles per year. There is a significant gap in data between June 2016 at 111,551 miles and September 2019 at 115,653 miles, where the vehicle covered only 4,102 miles over three years. While low mileage reduces engine wear, it often leads to the degradation of rubber components due to age, which explains the recurring failures of brake hoses and suspension dust covers noted throughout the record. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension geometry. The repeated reports of ball joint play and deteriorated boots suggest the control arms may be nearing the end of their service life. You should specifically inspect the front brake hoses for cracking or bulging, as the tester has flagged them for deterioration across multiple consecutive tests. Given the vehicle's age and low usage, a detailed check of the chassis and sills for structural corrosion is essential, as the MOT record does not account for the typical rust issues common in this generation of Transporter.