2012 Volkswagen Transporter 2.0L Diesel · RV12 PUJ

The most recent MOT, conducted on 7 May 2026 at 112,880 miles, shows a pass, yet the advisory list reveals a vehicle that is cosmetically neglected and developing age-related corrosion rather than being actively maintained. The trend over the last three years is mixed: while the 2024 failure was serious, involving a leaking front shock absorber and a perishing anti-roll bar linkage dust cover, the subsequent 2025 and 2026 tests show those specific suspension items were replaced or repaired. However, the 2026 test flagged a corroded rear coil spring on both sides and a deteriorated nearside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover. This indicates a pattern of reactive repairs rather than proactive preventative maintenance, with rubber and corrosion-prone components failing at different ends of the vehicle in consecutive years. The mileage progression is consistent with light commercial or lifestyle use rather than high-mileage fleet work. Between 25 April 2024 at 98,319 miles and 15 May 2025 at 109,410 miles, the vehicle covered 11,091 miles in just over a year, a notable increase compared to the 3,470 miles covered in the following twelve months leading to the May 2026 test. This suggests the vehicle may have been used for a longer trip or heavier workload before returning to lower local mileage. The overall average of roughly 8,000 miles per year is typical for a 12-year-old Transporter, but the recent drop in annual mileage raises the question of potential long-term standing, which can accelerate brake disc surface corrosion and perishing of rubber suspension bushes. Buyers should focus their physical inspection on the structural underside and suspension components. The recurring advisories on ball joint dust covers and anti-roll bar linkage covers point to perishing rubber, meaning the joints themselves may be contaminated and worn despite passing the latest test. The 2026 advisory for corroded rear coil springs is a significant concern on a commercial vehicle of this age; pitting or surface rust on the spring wire can lead to sudden fracture under load. Inspect the spring seats and the lower suspension arms for deep corrosion, particularly around the rear axle where moisture and road salt accumulate. The braking system shows a history of consumable wear rather than catastrophic failure. The 2025 tests flagged worn front pads and scored front discs, which appear to have been replaced ahead of the 2026 pass. However, the 2025 advisory for worn rear tyres, combined with the current corroded rear springs, suggests the rear end has been neglected. Check the rear brake calipers for binding, a common issue on Transporters that sit unused, and inspect the handbrake cables for free movement. The persistent inoperative nearside registration plate lamp and fog lamp, alongside the cracked windscreen chip, are minor electrical and cosmetic faults, but their recurrence across multiple tests implies a general lack of attention to basic roadworthiness details.