2009 Volkswagen Transporter 1.9L Diesel · TIG 1015

A pattern of accumulating structural and running-gear wear defines this 2009 Volkswagen Transporter, with the most recent test on 6 August 2026 returning an initial failure before a same-day pass once the dangerous stop lamp defects were rectified. While the current pass is technically clean on safety grounds, the test still carried advisories for corrosion on both rear suspension arms, signalling that the rear axle components have been steadily degrading over successive examinations. Across the seven recorded tests, only two have been entirely free of recorded defects (2021 and 2024), with the intervening and subsequent examinations consistently flagging advisories on suspension, braking, structure, and exhaust emissions. The 2023 test was particularly concerning, producing a major failure for an inoperative engine management indicator lamp alongside a non-functional windscreen washer system and a stop lamp switch issue, suggesting electrical or control module faults that warrant specific attention during inspection. Mileage accumulation of roughly 8,820 miles annually over seventeen years represents broadly typical use for a working van of this age, though the record reveals no testing between March 2021 and May 2022, and again between May 2024 and August 2026, indicating the vehicle has experienced periods off the road. Testing history covers only seven MOT records across the vehicle's life, with annual mileage progressing from approximately 102,000 miles in 2021 to the current 149,944, equating to around 16,000 miles per year over the five-year span. This front-loaded usage profile, combined with diesel-engine emissions advisories noted in 2023, is mechanically consistent with a commercial vehicle that has seen sustained load-bearing work and motorway mileage. The presence of exhaust smoke advisories, oil leak advisories, and engine management lamp faults in that same 2023 cluster points to running gear that has absorbed considerable operational stress, particularly given the diesel powertrain typical of T5-generation Transporters. A prospective buyer should focus on the rear suspension arms flagged with corrosion advisories at the most recent test, as this represents a developing trend that could compromise axle geometry and handling if left unchecked; on a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear over uneven surfaces and check for uneven rear tyre wear which would indicate geometry distortion. The 2025 advisories for sill corrosion within 30cm of a mounting point require close physical inspection of the jacking points, sill seams, and outrigger areas for perforating rust, particularly around the rear wheel arches and door shuts, as Transporter sills are known to trap moisture and corrode from within. Rear brake components warrant direct scrutiny given the pitted rear discs and deteriorated rear brake hose recorded in 2025, with a test drive needed to confirm there is no judder under braking and that the handbrake holds firmly on an incline, as corroded brake hoses can lead to spongy pedal feel or rear brake binding. The 2023 cluster of engine management warning, oil leak, and exhaust smoke advisories suggests a thorough pre-purchase diagnostic scan is essential, with particular attention to the turbocharger, EGR valve, and injector condition typical of high-mileage diesel Transporter engines. Request evidence that any emission-related repairs have been carried out and that the oil leak has been traced and resolved, as persistent leaks can mask timing chain cover or rear main seal wear that becomes progressively more expensive to rectify. On the road, monitor the engine management light during the test drive and check for blue smoke on start-up or under load, which would indicate oil consumption issues beyond what a simple top-up can resolve. Given the 2023 stop lamp switch failure, verify all brake lights, including the high-level third brake light, operate crisply on first pedal application, and confirm the windscreen washer system delivers adequate fluid across both front and rear washer jets before committing to purchase.