2006 Volkswagen Caddy 1.9L Diesel · KT55 HVM

Rear braking wear is the defining thread running through this 2006 Volkswagen Caddy's test history, with rear pads and discs flagged as worn or wearing thin in 2023, 2025, and again at the most recent pass on 26 August 2026, where both rear drop links were also noted with slight play. The record shows eight passes against a single failure in February 2021, when a split offside front CV boot and an insecure rear exhaust required rectification before a same-day retest pass; the nearside CV boot was simultaneously flagged as severely deteriorated. Exhaust leaks have recurred as minor advisories in 2022 and 2023 at both front and rear sections, and front tyres have twice been recorded worn close to the legal limit on the edges. The overall trend is stable rather than worsening, but the persistence of rear brake wear across three consecutive years of tests suggests those components are approaching the end of their service life rather than having been renewed. Recorded mileage stands at 65,071 miles over roughly twenty years, averaging only about 3,250 miles annually, which is low for a vehicle of this type. There is a notable gap in the test record between September 2019 and February 2021, consistent with the pandemic-era MOT extension, but the low annual accumulation across the whole record points to light use or extended periods standing. Mechanically, this pattern is consistent with what the record shows: corrosion and deterioration of rubber components such as CV boots and exhaust joints tend to progress with age rather than mileage, while brake discs on lightly used vehicles commonly pit and score through surface corrosion between infrequent applications, which matches the repeated rear disc advisories. On a test drive, pay close attention to the rear braking performance: listen for grinding or scraping under braking that would indicate pads worn to the backing plates, and feel for judder or pulsing through the pedal that would confirm the scored, pitted discs noted in the advisories. Visually inspect the rear discs for heavy lipping and rust ridges, and budget for a full rear pad and disc replacement given three consecutive years of wear advisories. With slight play recorded in both rear anti-roll bar drop links, drive over uneven surfaces and speed bumps listening for knocking or rattling from the rear suspension; these are inexpensive parts but worth confirming as the source of any noise. The front end warrants equal scrutiny given the 2021 CV boot failure: check both front driveshaft boots for fresh splits or grease fling, and listen for clicking on full-lock turns that would indicate joint wear from past dirt ingress. Front tyres have been flagged as edge-worn in two separate years, so inspect tread depth across the full width and consider a wheel alignment check, as repeated edge wear can indicate tracking or suspension geometry issues. Finally, with exhaust leaks noted at front and rear sections across 2022 and 2023, listen for blowing or rasping from underneath at idle and under acceleration, and inspect the pipe joints and hangers for corrosion, particularly given the 2021 failure for an insecure rear system.