2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.0L Diesel · NU62 FNK

Corrosion and rear‑suspension degradation dominate the mechanical picture of this 2012 Passat; every MOT since 2022 has recorded rear axle or rear‑suspension arm corrosion, and the most recent test on 22 May 2026 passed only with those same advisories still present. Earlier in the same year a failure for a missing off‑side front steering‑rack gaiter and split CV‑boot joints forced a remedial MOT, while 2023 saw a fractured off‑side front coil spring and an excessively worn anti‑roll‑bar ball joint, both flagged as major failures. The pattern is one of recurring corrosion and progressive wear on suspension and steering components rather than a clean, uninterrupted road‑worthiness record. At 111,239 mi the vehicle averages just under 8,000 mi per year, a mileage rate that sits squarely within normal usage for a fourteen‑year‑old car and shows no evidence of long storage periods. The MOT history is continuous, with roughly annual testing and no multi‑year gaps, indicating the car has been driven regularly. Mechanically this suggests that wear on consumables such as tyres, brakes and bushings will be in line with its mileage, while the persistent corrosion points to exposure to moisture or road‑salt rather than excessive mileage alone. A prospective buyer should give particular attention to the rear axle and both rear‑suspension arms, probing for any looseness in the wheel hubs and listening for clunks when driving over bumps, which would indicate corrosion‑induced weakening. The steering rack gaiter and the constant‑velocity boot splits recorded in 2025 and 2026 merit a visual inspection for oil leakage and a road test for any play or binding in the steering column; a compromised gaiter can allow dirt ingress that accelerates rack wear. Likewise, the anti‑roll‑bar ball‑joint dust covers and linkage, flagged repeatedly, should be examined for excessive wear and tested for a firm, noise‑free feel when turning the wheel at low speed. Brake disc advisories from 2021 show rear discs with surface pitting; a test‑drive brake check for pulsation, uneven bite or increased stopping distances is advisable, and a thickness measurement will confirm whether replacement is imminent. Tyre wear has been noted close to the legal limit on several occasions, so tread depth and sidewall integrity must be verified before purchase. In summary, a thorough pre‑purchase inspection focusing on corrosion‑related structural elements, suspension bushings, steering components and brake discs will be essential to determine whether the car’s remaining service life justifies the investment.