2004 Volkswagen Transporter 1.9L Diesel · OB53 BAD

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT certificate, but the maintenance history reveals a trend of reactive rather than proactive repairs. While it passed its most recent test in December 2025 at 285,653 miles, this followed just one day after a significant failure. The failure report which flagged an ABS fault, a split CV boot, and a serious leak from the offside front shock absorber Suggests that critical mechanical components are only addressed when they reach the point of legal failure, rather than being replaced during routine service intervals. At 22 years old, the recorded 285,653 miles represent a high-usage profile averaging approximately 13,000 miles per year. The data shows a notable burst of activity between December 2023 (270,047 miles) and January 2025 (278,115 miles), covering over 8,000 miles in thirteen months. This consistent mileage places considerable strain on the heavy-duty suspension and drivetrain components of a Transporter. The gap between the 2023 and 2025 tests indicates a period of regular use, but the subsequent rapid wear noted on rubber bushes and tyres suggests the vehicle is currently nearing the end of several major component lives. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension geometry. The record shows recurring issues with the lower suspension arm bushes in the December 2025 test; while these passed as advisories, they are likely to affect steering precision and uneven tyre wear. The previous ABS warning lamp requires a diagnostic scan to ensure the fault was actually cleared and not merely masked, as this is a safety-critical system. Given the high mileage and age, a close inspection of the chassis for structural corrosion around the suspension mounting points is essential, as the MOT record does not account for the integrity of the frame beyond the basic tester requirements.