2005 Volkswagen Touran 1.9L Diesel · L444 WYS

A pattern of repeated advisories on suspension components, subframe corrosion, and rear tyre wear defines this 21 year old Volkswagen Touran, alongside two failed tests both attributable to a split nearside front CV boot and a non functioning horn. The most recent assessment on 11 August 2026 was recorded as a pass with no defects, which is a positive outcome, but the surrounding history indicates chronic wear rather than incidental issues. The nearside front outer drive shaft CV boot has now been flagged on two consecutive tests in January 2025 and January 2026, initially as a major failure preventing dirt ingress and again at the retest. The offside front suspension arm rear bush was first noted in 2022, has appeared at every test since, and remained present at the January 2026 assessment. The rear subframe corrosion advisory first surfaced in January 2025 and persisted into 2026, suggesting a developing condition rather than a resolved one. Rear tyre inner edge wear has appeared at almost every test since 2022, and a nearside rear coil spring was noted as corroded in January 2026. With 73,671 miles recorded over 21 years, annual accumulation sits at roughly 3,500 miles, which is unusually low for a vehicle of this age and indicates either long periods of inactivity or very limited use. There are no significant gaps in the MOT record, with tests conducted annually throughout the period shown, so the vehicle has been regularly presented for testing rather than left off the road for extended stretches. Low annual mileage of this nature reduces wear on drivetrain and high speed components but tends to accelerate corrosion on suspension arms, subframes, brake discs, and coil springs through lack of regular movement and drying cycles, which aligns with the rust related advisories recorded. It also allows standing fluid in brake calipers to cause binding, a pattern consistent with the offside front service brake binding advisory noted in 2022. The mileage itself does not explain the CV boot failure, which is more commonly linked to age hardening of the rubber than distance covered. A prospective buyer should physically inspect and probe the rear subframe with a screwdriver or torch to confirm whether the corrosion is purely surface scale or has begun to compromise structural thickness, as subframes on Tourans of this era are known to deteriorate from the inside out. With the offside front suspension arm rear bush having been flagged for four consecutive years, it warrants a road test on rough surfaces to listen for clonking or knocking from the front end, particularly under braking or when traversing potholes. The nearside front CV boot should be visually rechecked for fresh splits and the joint listened for clicking on full lock manoeuvres, since the same fault has been recorded twice. The rear tyres should be examined for inner shoulder wear, which if persistent despite replacement may indicate worn rear suspension bushes, trailing arm bush deterioration, or a tracking issue. Given the offside front brake binding advisory from 2022, a firm brake pedal feel without excessive travel and even pull under hard braking from 30 mph should be confirmed. The damaged nearside outer sill first noted in 2023 and again in 2026 should be examined closely, as cosmetic sill damage can mask underlying corrosion on the inner sill structure or jacking points, particularly relevant on a vehicle already showing subframe and suspension arm corrosion. The horn failure that caused a major defect in January 2026 may simply require replacement, but it is worth checking that the steering wheel airbag connection and clock spring are functioning correctly so the issue does not reappear. With the offside front coil spring recorded as corroded in January 2026, the front suspension should be pushed down firmly and released to confirm no cracking noises, and the offside front spring should be visually inspected at the base coils for surface corrosion scale. A final inspection of all underbody brake pipes, fuel lines, and exhaust hangers is advisable given the cumulative corrosion pattern, as these components are not individually flagged but typically follow the same trajectory on low mileage vehicles of this age.