2009 Volkswagen Touareg 3.0L Diesel · MA09 EOF

The Touareg’s most recent MOT in March 2024 confirms it passed without defects at 169,919 miles, indicating a stable roadworthiness status at the time of testing. However, the prior history reveals a pattern of recurring minor issues—tyre wear and wiper failure—that, while not critical, suggest inconsistent maintenance. The 2023 test at 155,530 miles only noted a non-functional registration lamp, a trivial fault, but the 2022 test at 139,418 miles failed twice on the same day due to rear tyres worn beyond the legal limit and an ineffective offside windscreen wiper. This implies the vehicle was either driven with underinflated or mismatched tyres for an extended period or that basic upkeep was neglected until the last possible moment. The absence of any major advisories or structural faults in the last two tests is reassuring, but the repeated tyre-related failures warrant scrutiny. The recorded mileage of 169,919 miles over nearly 17 years averages roughly 9,995 miles annually, which aligns with typical usage for a vehicle of this age. There are no obvious gaps in service intervals that would suggest prolonged neglect, nor is there evidence of aggressive driving or rapid mileage accumulation. The most notable outlier is the 16,121-mile gap between the 2023 and 2024 tests, which could indicate either a period of low usage or a deliberate delay in MOT testing. Without additional service records, it’s impossible to confirm whether critical components like suspension bushes, coil springs, or brake calipers were serviced during this interval, but the consistent passing grades suggest no catastrophic failures have occurred. A prospective buyer should prioritise an independent inspection of the rear suspension and brake system, given the repeated tyre wear advisories. Binding or unevenly worn rear brakes, worn suspension bushes, or corroded brake calipers could explain the tyre degradation. The windscreen wiper failure in 2022 also hints at potential fluid leaks or worn wiper blades, so the condition of the wiper motor and screen washer system should be checked. Structural integrity remains the most critical concern for this age of vehicle, particularly around the sills, wheel arches, and underbody, where corrosion can compromise the chassis. Given the lack of advisories in the last two tests, the risk of severe structural issues is low, but a thorough underbody inspection is advisable to confirm no hidden corrosion has developed.