2015 Volkswagen Caddy 1.6L Diesel · VN15 AEK

A pattern of recurring front suspension bush wear, brake disc surface degradation, and a one-off coil spring failure defines the mechanical history of this Caddy, which emerged from its 2025 test with a Pass certificate on 11 November alongside three advisories that mirror those logged at its 7 November failure the same week. The two front suspension arm pin or bush advisories on both nearside and offside appear across consecutive tests, suggesting progressive wear in the lower wishbone linkages rather than a sudden deterioration, and the rear brake disc pitting advisory was also carried forward. The 2024 test added advisories across all four brake discs, indicating the braking surface condition has been a longstanding item rather than a recent development. A fractured offside front coil spring was recorded as a failure in late 2023 and rectified prior to the pass a day later, while a non-functioning horn caused the only major defect at the 2025 retest. No advisories relating to corrosion, structural integrity, fluid leaks, exhaust emissions, steering components, or lighting beyond the minor registration plate lamp issue appear anywhere in the record, which is a positive indicator for a working vehicle of this vintage. At 133,100 miles over eleven years, this Caddy has averaged roughly 12,100 miles annually, a notably high accumulation rate consistent with sustained commercial or fleet use rather than light private driving. Annual test entries spanning 2023 through 2025 with mileage progression implied by the timing suggests the vehicle has remained in regular service throughout, avoiding the long off-road periods that can introduce their own issues with seized brakes, perished seals, and degraded tyre sidewalls. The continuous testing cadence and absence of multi-year gaps point to a working van that has been kept on the road consistently, and the wear profile observed aligns with that workload: higher annual mileage accelerates consumption of brake friction surfaces, suspension bushes, tyres, and springs, all of which have surfaced in the advisories. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection items are the front suspension components, particularly the lower arm pin or bush assemblies that have now been flagged across multiple consecutive tests. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the front end over speed humps, rough surfaces, and during full-lock manoeuvres, as worn bush pins typically produce a dull thud or rattle rather than a sharp knock. Pay attention to vague steering response or a slight wandering at speed, which can also indicate worn linkage bushes, and have the van placed on a ramp to physically check the pins for radial play. The rear brake discs should be inspected for lipping and corrosion around the outer edge, and the pedal feel evaluated for any pulsation under firm braking that would suggest disc runout beyond the advisory stage. The fractured coil spring from 2023 warrants attention to the remaining three springs and the front strut assemblies as a whole, as coil spring failures can occasionally occur in clusters on high-mileage vehicles with fatigued spring rates. Listen for any metallic rattle from the suspension over bumps, which would indicate a compromised spring seating or a further fracture. Undertrays fitted at the 2023 test obscure certain underbody components from inspection, so any pre-purchase examination should ideally include removal of these covers to confirm the condition of the subframe mounting points, steering rack, and brake pipes, none of which have been flagged but which are critical on a high-mileage commercial platform. Finally, verify that the horn, the only outright failure in the recent record, is fully operational on both high and low tone settings, and check the nearside rear registration plate illumination for the multiple lamp sources required under the lighting regulations.