2009 Volkswagen Passat 2.0L Diesel · LB09 SWU

The most recent DVSA test on 1 August 2026 resulted in a Pass, with the only entry being a Minor defect for a damaged nearside windscreen that did not affect the driver's view. Looking at the broader pattern, this vehicle has passed every annual test since 2019 without any failure or refusal, which indicates a generally stable maintenance trend. However, the nature of the recorded items has shifted noticeably. Earlier tests from 2019 through 2022 recorded no defects at all, whereas the most recent three tests have all carried advisories or minor defects relating to suspension components, tyres, and drivetrain protection. This trend is entirely consistent with a seventeen-year-old vehicle entering a phase where rubber, bushes, and protective boots begin to deteriorate, and it suggests the car is being used regularly enough to expose these wear items rather than being left standing unused. The recorded mileage of 115,650 miles over approximately seventeen years equates to an annual average of around 6,800 miles, which is broadly typical for a car of this age and broadly consistent with regular but moderate use. There are no significant gaps in the testing history, and the mileage progression between tests appears steady, with no evidence of rapid accumulation that would suggest harsh use or long-distance motorway work, nor any long periods of standing that would give rise to corrosion and seized components. The current odometer reading is plausible and the continuous MOT record provides reasonable confidence in its accuracy. The implication for a buyer is that the vehicle has seen consistent real-world use, which is generally favourable for mechanical health provided consumables have been replaced at appropriate intervals. When examining the recurring advisories, several items warrant close attention. The 2024 test noted both front suspension arm pins or bushes worn but not yet resulting in excessive movement, and these items commonly progress to a point where they produce audible clonks over speed bumps or during sharp low-speed manoeuvres, along with vague or wandering steering and uneven inner-edge tyre wear. A test drive should therefore include firm brake applications, full-lock turns, and driving over uneven surfaces to listen for suspension noise. The nearside front drive shaft constant velocity boot was flagged as severely deteriorated in 2024, and if not replaced since, it is highly likely to have progressed to a torn boot, allowing grease loss and eventual joint failure. Buyers should inspect the inner and outer CV boots for splits, grease contamination on the surrounding suspension components, and listen for clicking on full lock. The 2019 advisory for slight play in the nearside front track rod end ball joint should also be verified as resolved, as worn track rod ends cause imprecise steering, uneven tyre wear across the tread, and will fail an MOT if movement becomes excessive. Beyond the recorded defects, a prospective buyer of a seventeen-year-old Passat should carry out a series of practical age-related inspections regardless of the clean MOT history. Tyres should be examined for sidewall cracking and perishing caused by UV exposure, which is common on lower-mileage vehicles and can lead to failure despite adequate tread depth. Brake discs should be inspected for corrosion ridges on the outer edge, particularly given any periods of limited use, and the calipers should be checked for seized slide pins that cause uneven pad wear. The 12-volt battery is well beyond its typical five-year service life and should be load-tested before purchase. Coolant, brake fluid, and automatic or manual transmission fluid all degrade with time rather than mileage alone and would benefit from replacement if service history cannot confirm recent changes. Finally, the exhaust system, including the centre and rear silencers and mounting rubbers, is highly susceptible to corrosion at this age and should be physically inspected for blowing joints, hangers, and rust perforation.