2004 Volkswagen Transporter 1.9L Diesel · LS04 WMA

The vehicle remains roadworthy but the history indicates a trend of reactive maintenance rather than preventative care. While the most recent test in November 2025 at 188,951 miles secured a pass, it revealed multiple advisories related to tyre wear and lighting defects. The record shows a recurring pattern of faults that are only addressed after a failure occurs, as seen in the October 2024 failure where exhaust emissions and suspension components were flagged shortly before a successful retest. At 188,951 miles over 22 years, the Transporter shows a consistent usage of approximately 8,600 miles per year, which is typical for a commercial vehicle of this age. Between December 2023 and November 2024, the vehicle covered over 14,000 miles, suggesting regular use. However, the mileage accumulation has not prevented the gradual degradation of age-related components, particularly within the steering rack and suspension system, which have shown persistent signs of wear across the last two years of inspections. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the suspension and steering assembly. The record flags corroded rear coil springs and leaking rear shock absorbers in 2024, while a worn steering rack and anti-roll bar ball joints were identified in previous tests. These issues suggest the undercarriage components are nearing the end of their service life. Furthermore, the braking system shows history of warped discs and fluctuating service brakes from 2023, necessitating a check of current pad thickness and rotor condition to ensure stopping performance. Attention should also be paid to the structural integrity of the exhaust system, where corrosion was noted in late 2023. The recurring presence of perishing tyres and those worn to the legal limit in 2025 indicates that basic consumable maintenance is often deferred until strictly necessary. Given the previous failure for high emissions in October 2024, a smoke test or engine health check is advisable to ensure the engine remains tuned efficiently despite the high mileage.