2023 Volkswagen ID5 Style PRO Electric · SL73 KVG

The most recent DVSA examination took place on 14 August 2026 and resulted in a Pass, although this outcome should be considered alongside the immediately preceding test on 13 August 2026 which resulted in a Dangerous failure for a nearside front tyre with ply or cords exposed, alongside three tyre-related advisories for the nearside rear, offside rear, and offside front tyres all noted as worn close to the legal limit or worn on edge. The vehicle subsequently returned the following day and passed once the dangerous defect had presumably been rectified, with the same three edge-wear advisories carried forward. Because the MOT history provided covers only this immediate cluster of tests, it is difficult to identify a long-term maintenance trend, but the pattern here strongly suggests an owner who allowed the tyres to deteriorate to a dangerous level before presenting the vehicle for testing rather than addressing wear proactively. The recurrence of identical advisories on the rear pair and the offside front within a single day is notable and points to a systemic tyre wear issue rather than isolated damage. With three years of registered use and 19,015 recorded miles, this Volkswagen ID.5 averages approximately 6,338 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with typical private usage for an electric SUV of this class. This is neither a low-mileage garage queen nor a heavily worked vehicle, so the mechanical implications are relatively benign in terms of drivetrain wear, as the single-speed transmission and electric motors characteristic of the ID.5 platform are largely unaffected by mileage in the conventional sense. The annual rate is, however, sufficient to keep the brake discs, tyres, and suspension components functioning under normal cyclic loading rather than suffering the issues associated with prolonged standing. There are no apparent significant gaps in the mileage progression that would suggest the vehicle has been laid up for extended periods, which is reassuring for an EV where a dormant 12V auxiliary battery and potential brake caliper seizure can otherwise become concerns. The most pressing inspection priority for any prospective buyer is the tyre condition across all four corners. Edge wear on three of the four wheels within a short window is unusual and merits close investigation, as it can indicate incorrect wheel alignment, worn suspension components such as control arm bushes, ball joints, or droplinks, or simply that the tyres were rotated infrequently and allowed to wear unevenly to the legal limit. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over bumps, particularly when turning, and check for pulling to one side under braking or steady cruising which would suggest geometry issues. Inspect each tyre sidewall for cracking or perishing given the vehicle's age, as rubber compounds degrade with calendar age regardless of tread depth, and confirm that the replacements fitted to address the dangerous failure match the manufacturer's specification for load index and rolling resistance, as the ID.5 may be sensitive to deviations affecting range. Beyond the tyre concerns, given the vehicle's age of three years and modest annual mileage, attention should turn to age-related servicing items that do not appear on the MOT but are critical on an EV platform. The 12V auxiliary battery, which powers ancillary systems and is independent of the high-voltage traction battery, is approaching the end of its typical service life and a weak unit can cause random warning messages or no-start conditions. Brake discs should be physically inspected for surface corrosion, as moderate annual mileage combined with regenerative braking means the friction brakes may be used infrequently and can develop lipping or bind, so listen for any scraping or dragging on a test drive and verify the wheels rotate freely when unladen. The coolant system for the traction battery and electric motors should have been serviced in line with Volkswagen's time-based schedule, so verify service book stamps or digital service records for any documented brake fluid renewal and battery coolant changes, as these are calendar-dependent rather than mileage-dependent items that could otherwise be overlooked in a low-to-moderate usage profile.