2015 Volkswagen Caddy 1.6L Diesel · SL15 VPP

The defining chapter in this Caddy's MOT record is a sharp interruption to an otherwise unbroken run of clean passes. From 2020 through 2024, the vehicle passed each annual test with no recorded defects, building up a five-year stretch of unblemished roadworthiness. That consistency ended abruptly at the April 2025 test, where the vehicle failed on multiple grounds, including a dangerous rear brake disc, an excessively worn offside rear anti-roll bar ball joint, and major headlamp aim defects on both sides. The very next day it returned and passed, retaining only a minor registration plate lamp advisory. By April 2026 it achieved a clean pass with no defects recorded at all. While the current status is favourable, the 2025 failure cluster — particularly the dangerous brake disc finding — is the single most mechanically significant event in the history and should be treated as a focal point for any prospective inspection rather than dismissed as an isolated blip. Recorded mileage stands at 124,045 miles across an 11-year life, averaging roughly 11,277 miles annually, which sits comfortably within typical usage for a vehicle of this age and class. The testing cadence is annual and continuous from 2020 onward, with no gaps in MOT coverage that would suggest prolonged lay-up or storage. There are no unexplained mileage jumps or stagnation periods in the record, indicating consistent operational use. At this annual rate, consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and suspension bushes will have been subjected to steady, moderate wear, but the 2025 brake disc failure demonstrates that wear can still progress to a serious condition well within the annual test interval. For a prospective buyer, the rear braking system demands priority attention. Although the dangerous disc was presumably replaced to secure the pass on the same day, a thorough physical inspection of the rear calipers, pads, and the offside rear brake pipe and hose for corrosion or weeping is warranted, alongside confirmation that the nearside rear disc has not followed the same wear trajectory. The anti-roll bar ball joint failure is equally significant; this component sits within the rear suspension geometry, and a replacement on one side can place additional load on the opposite joint and the associated bushes, so both rear drop links and anti-roll bar mountings should be checked for play, knocking, or perished bushes. The headlamp aim defects on both sides — flagged as major at the same 2025 test — should be re-verified on a flat surface to confirm the adjusters are secure and not slipping under vibration, as repeated misalignment can indicate worn adjuster mechanisms or fatigued mounting rubbers. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the rear suspension when traversing uneven road surfaces or speed humps, particularly over the offside rear wheel, and pay close attention to any lateral instability during lane changes that could indicate compromised anti-roll bar function. Brake pedal feel should be firm and progressive; any sponginess, excessive travel, or judder under light braking would warrant immediate investigation of the rear caliper pistons, slider pins, and the recently fitted disc run-out. Front-end behaviour should also be observed, as Volkswagen commercial vehicles of this era are known for front suspension bush and anti-roll bar link wear — listen for creaks on full lock and clunks over rough tarmac. Finally, a check of the underbody for any surface corrosion around the rear axle, subframe mounting points, and brake line unions would be prudent given the rear brake component failure recorded, ensuring that no underlying corrosion contributed to the disc reaching a dangerous condition.