2012 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0L Petrol · LB61 BZX

A recurring pattern of front suspension wear, oil leakage, and tyre degradation dominates the MOT history of this 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan, with the most recent assessment on 3 February 2023 recording a pass but flagging multiple advisories. The vehicle has been presented for testing six times across four years, with three passes and three failures recorded, indicating that rectification work has consistently been required to clear the test. Across three of the four test years, near-side and off-side front suspension arm pins or bushes have been highlighted as worn, with the 2020 entry specifically noting a "strong advise" rear bush condition that was carried forward unresolved into 2021 and 2023. An oil leak, classed as not excessive, was also noted in the 2023 test, and a deteriorated near-side front outer drive shaft CV boot was flagged as a minor defect in 2020. These recurring advisories suggest a chassis and drivetrain that has been progressively deteriorating rather than being addressed comprehensively between tests. With 92,421 miles recorded against a 2012 registration and only MOT tests visible from 2019 onwards, the vehicle averages roughly 6,600 miles per year over its lifetime, which is broadly typical for its age. However, the recorded test history only spans the last four years, leaving a significant gap between first registration in 2012 and the first documented test in 2019. Within the visible record, mileage progression appears steady between 2019 and 2023, with no sudden jumps that would suggest towing, commercial use, or odometer irregularity. The cumulative wear implied by the suspension and tyre advisories is consistent with a vehicle of this age and mileage, but the absence of earlier MOT data means the mechanical condition of the car during its first seven years cannot be verified through official records. Particular attention should be paid to the front suspension during any inspection, given that the rear bushes of both front lower arms have been flagged on three separate occasions. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end when traversing speed humps, uneven road surfaces, or during sharp direction changes at low speed, as these are classic symptoms of worn suspension arm bushes exceeding their acceptable movement threshold. The vehicle should also be examined for uneven or inner-edge tyre wear on the front pair, as this pattern recurred in both 2020 and 2021 and often points to misaligned geometry secondary to worn suspension components. With the vehicle currently at 92,421 miles, a fresh set of front arms or bushes is a realistic probability, and any negotiation should account for the cost of this work. The 2023 advisory noting a slightly damaged central rear seat belt buckle warrants a physical check to confirm the buckle still latches securely and releases correctly, particularly as child seat fitment has also prevented full inspection of rear belts in multiple tests. The oil leak, while classed as not excessive, should be inspected from underneath with the engine warm to determine whether it originates from the sump, cam chain area, or rocker cover, and whether fresh oil residue is present on adjacent components. Given that the 2020 test produced a failure for an inoperative near-side headlamp and levelling device, the operation of both dipped beams and the headlamp levelling system should be verified before purchase. Finally, although the 2019 test recorded clean rear tyre condition, the 2021 entry showed all four tyres worn close to the legal limit simultaneously, indicating a tendency towards rapid or uneven tread loss that should be monitored through regular rotation and alignment checks.