2011 Volkswagen Passat 1.6L Diesel · WD11 EVV

The vehicle presents a deteriorating maintenance trend despite passing its most recent inspection. While it cleared the test on December 19, 2025 at 293,614 miles, the failure just one day prior reveals a history of neglected safety-critical faults. The presence of an engine management light fault and a supplementary restraint system warning in two consecutive years indicates persistent electronic issues that were only addressed at the deadline. The recurring nature of these failures suggests the owner performs only the minimum work required to pass the MOT rather than engaging in preventative maintenance. At 293,614 miles, this 15-year-old Passat has covered significant ground, averaging nearly 20,000 miles per year. The data shows consistent high-usage, with 6,411 miles driven between the December 2024 and December 2025 tests. This high mileage places extreme stress on the drivetrain, suspension components, and braking system. The clean record from December 2023 at 276,044 miles is an anomaly given the subsequent mechanical failures, suggesting that the vehicle is now reaching a terminal stage of wear and mileage. A buyer must scrutinise the rear suspension assembly, as the December 2025 test flagged worn bushes on both the nearside and offside rear suspension arms. Although these did not result in failure at that time, the high mileage combined with thinning rear brake pads suggests imminent replacement costs. Special attention should be paid to the parking brake system, following the 2024 failure for low efficiency and an inoperative offside mechanism. Given the documented history of the SRS warning lamp and engine management light faults, a professional diagnostic scan is essential to ensure these electronic issues have been truly resolved rather than merely masked.