2014 Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4L Petrol · LR64 CTV

A pattern of premature front tyre wear sits at the centre of this Scirocco's roadworthiness history, with the front axle consistently flagged across multiple tests and culminating in a dangerous failure at the most recent assessment on 21 November 2025. Both front tyres were found below the legal 1.6mm tread limit on that date, having been previously recorded as merely worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge in October 2024, and with a similar nearside advisory back in September 2022. The combination of edge wear appearing on both sides suggests a persistent geometry issue, most likely tracking misalignment, worn front suspension components, or both. The car passed the retest the same day after the tyres were replaced, but the underlying cause of the rapid, uneven tread degradation has not been recorded as inspected or rectified, and remains a latent defect that will simply repeat itself with the next set of tyres. Annual mileage of roughly 5,650 miles is substantially below the average for a twelve-year-old vehicle and points to either genuine low use or extended periods of inactivity. The MOT record shows consecutive annual tests in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 with no multi-year gaps, which suggests the car has remained on the road consistently rather than being laid up, although the low accumulation rate still means prolonged standing phases between uses are likely. Low mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch and gearbox internals, but it does not protect the vehicle from the specific problems already showing in the record. In fact, low-use cars are particularly susceptible to corrosion of underbody and brake components, premature tyre deterioration from flat-spotting and sidewall cracking, and stiffening of suspension bushes and dampers through inactivity. The rear shock absorbers recorded with light oil misting at the November 2025 test are a clear early warning, even though they remained within advisory limits and were not failed. Light misting on both sides simultaneously is typical of units reaching the latter part of their service life rather than a single isolated seal failure, and a buyer should listen for any clonking or rattling from the rear over speed humps and uneven B-road surfaces, as well as watch for the rear end feeling unsettled over crests. On the front suspension, given the recurring edge wear, particular attention should be paid to the condition of the wishbone bushes, drop links, track rod ends and front shock absorber top mounts. Jack the front wheels off the ground and check for vertical play at the wheels, which would indicate worn strut bearings or top mounts, and manually inspect the inner and outer CV joint boots for splits and grease loss. A slow-speed drive over broken tarmac should reveal any clonking, knocking or creaking that would confirm tired front suspension components. The tyre wear issue is the priority mechanical concern and warrants a pre-purchase four-wheel alignment check, as simply replacing the tyres without correcting the underlying geometry will result in another premature replacement cycle costing several hundred pounds. Inspect the sidewalls of all four tyres closely for cracking or perishing given the low annual mileage, as sidewalls degrade from UV exposure and standing rather than from use. The minor windscreen damage noted on the same test does not affect the driver's view but should be monitored, and a wiper blade replacement is overdue based on the 2024 advisory. Beyond the recorded items, a thorough inspection of the underbody for corrosion, particularly around the rear axle, subframe mounting points and brake pipe runs, is essential given the age of the vehicle and the fact that corrosion-related failures are not yet flagged but commonly develop on cars of this vintage that see winter road use.