2003 Volkswagen Caddy 1.9L Diesel · LL52 CRX

A developing pattern of steering and front suspension wear defines the mechanical profile of this 2003 Volkswagen Caddy, with each of the last three annual tests flagging related advisories and a recorded Major defect on the most recent failure. The 2025-02-05 test failed on an excessively worn offside front suspension arm pin or bush, while the same component on the nearside was noted as worn but within tolerance, alongside a longstanding advisory for play in the steering rack inner joint that has now been recorded at both sides on the latest pass. The 2026-01-13 test did pass, but it carried forward renewed advisories for steering rack inner joint play on both sides and added a new advisory for an engine oil leak. The overall trajectory is one of progressive wear in the front-end geometry rather than a sudden fault, and a buyer should treat the steering and suspension assembly as the primary area requiring close scrutiny. Mileage accumulation of around 6,700 miles per year across a 23-year life is broadly consistent with normal mixed-use, neither unusually high nor suggestive of long-term storage. Annual testing has been continuous since at least 2020, with no multi-year gaps in the record, so there is no indication of extended off-road periods that would raise separate concerns about seized components, perished rubber, or stale fluids. Given the cumulative mileage of 153,617, the front-end wear pattern recorded in the MOT history is consistent with a working vehicle of this age and distance, where consumable chassis components reach the end of their service life. For a prospective buyer, the steering rack inner joint play recorded at both sides on the most recent test is the single most important item to evaluate. On a road test, with the engine running and the vehicle stationary, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front end as the steering is turned from lock to lock, and feel for any notchiness, binding, or excess free movement at the steering wheel before the front wheels begin to respond. Over uneven surfaces at speed, any worsening of these symptoms, particularly clonking or vibration through the steering wheel, would suggest the inner joint wear has progressed. The steering rack itself may ultimately require rebuild or replacement if the play continues to develop, and the cost of doing so on a 23-year-old Caddy should be weighed against the vehicle's value. The front suspension arm pin or bush wear, which escalated to a Major failure on the offside in early 2025, warrants particular attention. With the vehicle raised if possible, check for any vertical or rotational play in the front lower arms by hand, and on the road, listen for knocks or creaks from the front suspension over speed humps, potholes, and rough tarmac. A vague, wandering sensation at speed or uneven front tyre wear, particularly on the nearside front as already noted, can indicate that the bush condition has deteriorated further. The recorded engine oil leak should be inspected for its source, whether from the cam chain area, valve cover gasket, or sump, and its current severity judged by residue on the lower engine and bellhousing. The advisory for a corroded offside rear brake pipe, although masked by grease or other material at the last test, also justifies a close visual examination of all underbody brake lines for surface corrosion, as brake pipe replacement on an older vehicle of this mileage is a foreseeable cost.