2018 Volkswagen Caddy 2.0L Diesel · VO68 VGZ

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT certificate dated 5 March 2026 at 105,999 miles with zero defects recorded, indicating a fully compliant roadworthiness status at that point. The maintenance trend is broadly improving. A failed test on the same day at 105,994 miles flagged five serious defects including exposed tyre cords, failed rear shock absorbers, and excessively worn rear anti-roll bar D-bushes. The immediate retest passed cleanly, suggesting a previous owner addressed these faults promptly. This pattern of failure followed by a clean pass demonstrates reactive rather than neglectful maintenance, though the nature of the defects points to deferred suspension work that a buyer should verify was completed to a proper standard. The mileage accumulation tells a clear story of sustained high-intensity use. Between the March 2024 pass at 58,544 miles and the March 2025 test at 79,856 miles, the van covered 21,312 miles in twelve months. The following year saw a further 26,143 miles added by March 2026, averaging over 2,000 miles per month in the most recent period. This accelerating rate of accumulation is significantly above the typical annual average of 13,250 miles and indicates the vehicle has been driven hard, likely under commercial load. Such usage accelerates wear on consumable components and places greater stress on suspension, braking, and drivetrain assemblies. The recurring theme across the MOT record is deferred maintenance on safety-critical systems. The 2025 failure specifically highlighted front and rear brake pads wearing thin with lipped discs, alongside multiple tyres worn to the 2mm threshold. A buyer should physically inspect the current brake disc thickness, pad material remaining, and lipping, as these components may have been replaced for the March 2026 test but the underlying pattern suggests aggressive driving habits. The tyre condition is a concern. Two separate tests flagged inner edge wear and exposed cords, which typically indicate chronic under-inflation, misaligned tracking, or overloading. A thorough four-corner tyre inspection including inner sidewalls and alignment check is essential before purchase. The suspension defects recorded in the March 2026 failure are the most technically significant finding. Both rear shock absorbers recorded negligible damping effect, and both rear anti-roll bar D-bushes were excessively worn. These are not minor advisories but fundamental suspension faults that affect vehicle stability, braking efficiency, and MOT compliance. While the subsequent pass confirms repair, a buyer should verify the quality of replacement parts fitted, request invoices for the work, and test-drive the vehicle over uneven surfaces to confirm the rear suspension is free from knocking, bouncing, or instability. The high-mileage, high-use profile of this van means these components will be subjected to continued stress, making the standard of repair a critical factor in long-term ownership.