2006 Vauxhall Combo 1.2L Diesel · WM06 OUC

The most recent MOT test dated 26 February 2026 resulted in a PASS, with only advisory items recorded including a deteriorated front registration plate, headlamp lens product residue on both front lamps, a slightly discoloured nearside rear direction indicator, and a nearside front tyre worn close to the legal limit on its edge. Looking at the broader trend over recent years, the vehicle has passed four of its last five tests, with the only failures being a dangerous steering defect at the rack universal joint mountings in early 2025, alongside ABS and SRS warning lamp issues, and a minor presentation failure in mid-2023. The fact that this dangerous steering failure was successfully rectified and the vehicle returned to a clean advisory pass just days later suggests that the underlying integrity was addressed rather than ongoing deterioration. However, the recurring advisories relating to steering rack inner joint play, first noted in 2021 and present on every test since, along with persistent front oil leak advisories, indicate a chronic wear pattern that warrants close physical inspection before purchase. The recorded mileage of 131,337 miles on a 2006 vehicle represents approximately 6,567 miles per year over its twenty-year life, which is broadly typical for a light commercial van of this age, though well below average annual mileage for the segment. This moderate usage profile is consistent with a vehicle that has seen regular work rather than long periods of standing, which is generally favourable for preventing the calendar-based degradation seen in low-use vehicles. That said, the consistent year-on-year testing with relatively short intervals and no major gaps in MOT history suggests the vehicle has remained in active service, and components such as the clutch, drivetrain, and suspension will have accrued proportionate wear commensurate with this mileage. Prospective buyers should anticipate that consumables including brake discs, pads, and tyres will likely require replacement in the near future given the advisory wear recorded on the most recent test. The most pressing recurring concern across the MOT history is the steering system. The steering rack inner joint play has been flagged at every test from 2021 through 2026, with additional advisories for the offside track rod end ball joint showing slight play from 2022 onwards, and a more serious advisory for slight free play detected at the steering wheel in early 2025. While the dangerous universal joint mounting failure appears to have been resolved, the persistent advisories suggest progressive wear in the steering assembly. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for clonks or knocking from the front end when traversing speed bumps or uneven surfaces, feel for any wandering or vagueness in the straight-ahead position, and check for uneven tyre wear particularly on the inner or outer edges which would indicate worn steering components. Given that a steering rack replacement on this model is a significant labour-intensive job, a physical inspection on a ramp or with the wheels lifted to manually check for play in the rack inner joints and track rod ends would be highly advisable. Additional attention should be paid to the front oil leak advisories recorded at both 2023 and 2025 tests. While described as not excessive, persistent oil leaks from the front of the engine on the Vauxhall Combo typically originate from the camshaft seal, front crankshaft seal, or timing cover gasket, and will worsen over time. The buyer should inspect the ground beneath the vehicle for fresh oil deposits and check the oil level and condition on the dipstick. The wheel bearing advisories from 2022 and the ABS warning lamp failure from 2025 also indicate areas requiring verification, with the ABS fault possibly linked to a failing wheel speed sensor rather than the modulator itself. Given the vehicle age, the buyer should also verify the condition of the cambelt and water pump replacement history, examine brake discs for lip formation particularly if the vehicle has been standing, check for corrosion on the brake calipers that may cause binding, and inspect tyre sidewalls for perishing cracks given the age of the rubber regardless of tread depth. Finally, given the vehicle's age, confirmation of recent coolant, brake fluid, and 12V battery replacement would be prudent, as these items degrade with calendar age rather than mileage.