2012 Volkswagen Caddy 1.6L Diesel · PX12 PZN

The overall roadworthiness status is currently passing, but the maintenance trend is deteriorating significantly, particularly concerning the rear suspension and brake components. The most recent test on 2026-03-18 was passed at 126,487 miles with a Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened, indicating that while the vehicle has maintained structural integrity, the specific systems under scrutiny have degraded. This is a stark contrast to the previous records from 2025, where the front sub-frame was also corroded but the overall pass was maintained, suggesting the issue was resolved or corrected between the two dates. However, the most recent failure on 2025-03-06, recorded at 123,330 miles, is a critical red flag. The tester flagged binding rear brakes, which is a serious structural risk requiring immediate physical inspection, and the rear outer brake pad was less than 1.5 mm thick, both calipers sliding. This indicates that the brake system has failed repeatedly and that the pads are approaching the minimum required thickness for safe operation. The lack of a second failure on the front sub-frame suggests that while the sub-frame itself may be okay, the critical brake components have failed, creating a potential for catastrophic failure if the braking force is lost. The mileage pattern shows a clear gap between the two most recent tests, with the first test occurring on 2025-03-06 and the second on 2026-03-18, a period of roughly nine months. This gap allows for significant wear accumulation on the rear suspension bushings and coil springs, which are prone to binding and corrosion. The rapid mileage accumulation since the last successful test suggests that the vehicle has been driven in a high-wear mode, likely due to regular maintenance being skipped or the vehicle being used for extended periods. The 123,330-mile record is approximately 9,035 miles per year, which is typical for a 2012 model, but the fact that the brakes failed twice within a short timeframe suggests that the maintenance history has been poor, with consumables replaced but the underlying mechanical failure not resolved. The first failure of 123,330 miles was recorded at 123,330 miles, which is exactly the mileage of the first test, indicating that the brakes were replaced or serviced at the same time as the first MOT. In conclusion, the buyer must conduct a physical inspection of the rear suspension and brakes immediately, as the brake pads and calipers have failed twice and the pads are critically thin. Given the poor maintenance history and the gap between the most recent MOTs, the vehicle is likely to fail again soon if no corrective action is taken. The car is passable in terms of structural integrity but fails due to specific mechanical failures in the rear suspension and brakes that require immediate attention. A buyer should be prepared to pay a substantial repair cost for suspension bushings and brake components, and the vehicle should be inspected by a professional body to confirm the status of the brakes before any further driving is permitted.