2007 Volkswagen Passat 1.9L Diesel · LS56 VUD

Suspension wear is the defining mechanical theme of this Passat's record, with bushes flagged on almost every test since 2019 and the issue escalating to a failure in March 2022 for excessively worn front suspension arm rear bushes on both sides plus a worn rear trailing arm bush, compounded by a dangerous offside rear tyre with exposed ply or cords. That failure was rectified and the car passed a retest days later, and it has passed every test since, including the most recent pass on 27 March 2024. However, the 2024 test introduced fresh concerns: corrosion noted on the offside front integral body structure at the wing, an oil leak judged not excessive, edge-worn tyres on three corners, and a slightly defective headlamp lens. The overall trend is one of recurring age-related wear items being caught and addressed rather than a deteriorating record, but the reappearance of structural corrosion is worth watching given a similar advisory for the offside rear structure back in 2020. At 192,590 miles over roughly 19 years, the car has averaged around 10,000 miles annually, a typical accumulation rate with no significant gaps in the annual test sequence and no evidence of prolonged lay-up. This consistent use means wear has been spread evenly across consumables, which matches the pattern in the record: repeated tyre advisories for edge wear across multiple corners in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2024, worn and pitted front brake discs noted in 2020, and the progressive suspension bush deterioration already described. A vehicle at this mileage will have seen considerable cycles through its suspension, braking and drivetrain components, so the advisories recorded are consistent with expected wear rather than abuse, though the recurring edge wear on tyres across different axles may point to alignment or geometry issues worth investigating. On a test drive, pay close attention to the suspension, which has the longest defect history. Listen for clonks or knocks from the front over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, which would suggest the lower arm bushes replaced in 2022 are wearing again, and check for a vague or wandering feel at the rear that could indicate trailing arm bush deterioration. Tyre edge wear has been flagged repeatedly, so inspect all four tyres for uneven shoulders and feel for any steering pull or off-centre wheel, which would confirm an alignment problem. The front brake discs were noted as worn, pitted and scored in 2020, so check for pedal judder or vibration under moderate braking and inspect the disc faces for lip formation and scoring. The corrosion findings deserve physical verification before purchase. Examine the offside front wing and surrounding structure flagged in 2024, and the offside rear structure noted in 2020, probing for bubbling paint, soft metal or previous repair patches, since advisories of this type can progress between tests. The oil leak recorded in 2024 should be traced to its source; check beneath the engine and around the sump and rocker cover for fresh seepage and ask whether it has been investigated. Also inspect the headlamp lenses, which have attracted repeated minor defects for clouding or surface contamination since 2019, and confirm the central exhaust mounting flagged in 2020 is secure by listening for rattles or knocking from beneath the car at idle and over rough surfaces.