2018 Volkswagen Caddy 2.0L Diesel · SJ04 KER

Brake wear dominates the recent MOT history – a dangerous front‑pad thickness of less than 1.5 mm triggered a failure in March 2024, and thin‑pad advisories have persisted for the rear brakes into 2024, while a front‑disc wear advisory also appeared that year. Since then the vehicle has recorded clean passes in March 2025 and March 2026, indicating that the most serious brake deficiency was addressed, but the pattern of recurring pad wear suggests that the braking system remains a focal point for future maintenance. At 116,062 mi the eight‑year‑old Caddy averages roughly 14,500 mi per annum, a mileage rate above the typical UK average for a small van of this age. The consistent annual testing schedule, with no gaps longer than a year, shows the vehicle has been kept on the road rather than stored for extended periods. The higher kilometre accumulation accelerates wear on consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres and suspension bushings, meaning those components are likely to be nearer the end of their service lives than the odometer alone might suggest. Prospective buyers should give the braking system close attention on a test drive: feel for any pulsation or sponginess in the pedal, listen for squeal or grinding when applying the brakes, and check for uneven pad wear by inspecting the pad thickness on both axles. The rear‑pad advisory from 2024 indicates that the rear braking set may be approaching its replacement point, while the front‑pad failure suggests that the pads were likely replaced after the March 2024 test – confirming the current pad thickness is essential. Inspect the brake discs for scoring or excessive run‑out, and verify that the washer fluid reservoir now supplies adequate fluid, as a major failure was recorded for the washer system in 2024. Electrical items flagged in the record also merit verification: the off‑side front position lamp was non‑functional in January 2023 and the engine MIL indicator was inoperative at the same time. Ensure both lights illuminate correctly and that the MIL warning is extinguished after a short drive; any lingering illumination could point to an unresolved fault in the engine management system. Finally, the tyre advisory for the off‑side front tyre in early 2023 signals that the tread depth was close to the legal limit; a visual inspection of all four tyres for tread depth, sidewall condition and uniform wear is advisable, and budgeting for a full tyre set may be prudent given the vehicle’s mileage and prior wear notes.