2018 Volkswagen T-ROC 1.6L Diesel · RO68 NUB

A pattern of brake and suspension wear advisories has emerged on this T-Roc's MOT record over the past three tests, suggesting that consumable items on the front axle are now approaching the point of replacement. The most recent examination on 10 October 2025 was a pass, but it flagged nearside and offside front brake pads as wearing thin alongside a light oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber. This follows a clean pass in October 2022 and three subsequent tests carrying advisories of varying mechanical significance, giving the impression of a vehicle whose wear items are now entering a more active phase of maintenance rather than remaining in a holding pattern. There have been no outright failures across the recorded history, but the recurring nature of brake and tyre-related advisories indicates that ongoing consumable spend should be anticipated. With 61,281 miles recorded against an eight-year registration, the vehicle has covered approximately 7,660 miles annually, which sits comfortably within expected parameters for a car of this age and type. The mileage progression between tests appears broadly consistent, with no recorded anomalies or sudden jumps that might indicate clocking or irregular use, and the MOT intervals are evenly spaced without any multi-year gaps that would raise concerns about prolonged standing. This relatively moderate annual accumulation means the engine, transmission, clutch, and major drivetrain components will have seen steady rather than intensive service, while brake and suspension wear should broadly track what one would expect for the mileage. The front brake pad advisories from the 2025 test should be confirmed as replaced or at least inspected and measured for remaining friction material thickness, as pads flagged as wearing thin on a pass will commonly reach replacement threshold before the next MOT. The nearside front shock absorber oil misting is a relatively minor finding at present but warrants visual inspection of the strut body and coil spring for any heavier weeping or contamination, and on a test drive the vehicle should be driven over uneven road surfaces and speed humps to listen for any clonking, knocking, or top-hat bearing noise from the front suspension. Steering should feel precise without vibration through the rim, and the car should remain settled without excessive body roll or wallowing through corners. The tyre-related advisories across the 2023 and 2024 tests, including perishing on all four tyres and cuts to the nearside rear, together with the nearside front tyre worn on edge, point to ageing rubber compounds even where tread depth remains adequate. A prospective buyer should physically inspect all four tyres for sidewall cracking, bulges, and uneven shoulder wear, as tyres manufactured many years ago may still meet the 1.6mm legal tread minimum but be compromised by age-hardened compound. The rear number plate deterioration noted in 2024 should also be checked, although this is a trivial cosmetic and legibility item. On the road, the test drive should include firm braking from moderate speed to check for any pull to one side, judder through the steering wheel, or pulsing pedal feel that might indicate warped front discs given the thin pad condition, and listening for any rear brake binding or squeal when first moving off from cold will help verify caliper health on this rear axle.