2007 Volkswagen Caddy 1.9L Diesel · MA57 MBY

With a continuous run of MOT passes since at least 2022 and the most recent test on 8 April 2026 returning a clean pass with no advisories or minor defects recorded, this Caddy's formal roadworthiness record is outwardly tidy. The underlying story, however, is one of chronic but minor advisories that have now resolved themselves on paper, while the mechanical causes may persist. The persistent front oil leak advisory flagged in 2022, 2024 and 2025 under reference 8.4.1 (a) (i) is the most consistent theme: it has been recorded as not excessive on each occasion, but the fact that the same area has been remarked upon across three separate tests over four years suggests a slow seepage that has not been rectified. The 2022 test also captured additional concerns that have not reappeared on subsequent records, including an offside front outer suspension arm pin or bush wearing, nearside rear tyre perishing, and a loose battery. None of these were noted again, which may indicate remedial work or that the conditions stabilised, though the absence of a re-advisory does not confirm the components were replaced. Mileage accumulation across this near two-decade-old commercial stands at 208,200 miles, equating to roughly 10,958 miles per year over the nineteen-year life of the vehicle. This is a broadly typical annual figure for a working Caddy of this vintage and age, and the continuity of yearly tests with no significant gaps implies the vehicle has remained in regular service rather than being laid up for extended periods. For a vehicle carrying this kind of mileage, the usual mechanical expectations apply: higher wear rates on suspension components, braking friction material, clutch and drivetrain mounts, and a greater likelihood of oil seepages from aged gaskets and seals, all of which aligns with the recorded history. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection items are concentrated around the front underside and engine bay. The recurring oil leak advisory warrants a careful examination with a torch underneath the engine and gearbox area when cold, paying particular attention to the camshaft chain tensioner area, sump, rocker cover gasket, and the area around the oil filter housing on the 1.9 and 2.0 SDI and TDI engines commonly fitted to this generation of Caddy. On a test drive, listen for any timing chain rattle on cold start and watch for an oil pressure warning light or flickering gauge. The 2022 advisory concerning the offside front outer suspension arm pin or bush should prompt a hands-and-knees check of the front suspension; on the road, listen for clonking over uneven surfaces, particularly at low speed over speed humps, and feel for vagueness or knocking through the steering wheel when traversing potholes. The front end should be jacked to check for play in the front lower wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and top mounts. Braking components warrant attention given the mileage, even though no specific brake-related advisories appear on the record. On inspection, check the condition and thickness of the front discs and pads, looking for lipped disc edges and uneven pad wear which would suggest binding calipers. Examine all visible brake pipes and flexible hoses for corrosion or cracking, particularly along the underside where road salt accumulates. The earlier loose battery advisory should prompt a check that the battery clamp is secure and the terminals are free from verdigris. Beyond the specific recorded items, a thorough pre-purchase inspection by a VW commercial specialist is advisable given the age and mileage, with particular scrutiny of the dual-mass flywheel, clutch operation, turbocharger actuator function, and any evidence of timing chain stretch, all of which are common wear items on high-mileage TDi-engined Caddys.