2013 Volkswagen Passat 2.0L Diesel · SC13 GDO

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history indicates a reactive rather than preventative approach. While it passed its most recent test in July 2025 at 143,609 miles, this followed a failure just two weeks prior for multiple critical issues. The failure included a fractured offside rear anti-roll bar linkage, a failed windscreen washer, and critically low nearside rear brake pads. This pattern suggests the owner only addresses mechanical faults when necessitated by an MOT failure, rather than performing routine component replacements. At 143,609 miles over 13 years, the Passat has averaged approximately 11,000 miles per annum, which aligns with typical usage for a vehicle of this age. The data shows consistent use, with roughly 5,100 miles covered between July 2024 and July 2025, and approximately 9,400 miles in the year prior to that. This steady accumulation places expected stress on rubber components and braking systems, which is clearly reflected in the recorded faults. A buyer should conduct a thorough inspection of the suspension, as the record shows a persistent trend of worn arm pin bushes dating back to 2023. Although these were noted as not resulting in excessive movement in 2024, the recurring nature across multiple arms suggests the bushings are reaching the end of their functional life. The ABS and electronic stability control faults flagged in 2024 must be verified as cleared to ensure they were properly rectified and not merely ignored after a code reset without repair. The front tyres also require immediate attention as the July 2025 test flagged them as worn to the legal limit with edge wear, which often indicates an alignment issue or worn shocks. Given the previous failure for thin brake pads on the same visit, the entire braking system should be inspected for uneven wear or sticking calipers. The vehicle remains functional, but the history of deferred maintenance suggests that further component costs are likely imminent.