2018 Vauxhall Combo 1.2L Diesel · YF67 KPJ

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT certificate following a pass on 7 January 2026 at 93,556 miles, yet the maintenance trajectory reveals a concerning deterioration in critical mechanical systems. While the car cleared the test, it did so with significant advisories regarding front brake disc wear and a braking system that is imbalanced to the point of only just meeting requirements. This represents a worsening trend compared to the clean bill of health recorded in January 2024, indicating that essential safety components have degraded rapidly over the last two years without adequate interim attention. Mileage accumulation sits at roughly 11,694 miles per year, which aligns with typical commercial or heavy private use for an eight-year-old van. The records show a steady increase from 83,986 miles in January 2024 to the current 93,556 miles, confirming consistent operation rather than long periods of standing. However, this consistent usage has accelerated wear on specific areas, most notably the transition from zero defects in 2024 to multiple failures and serious advisories in the 2025 and 2026 cycles. The jump in faults between the 2024 and 2025 tests suggests a lapse in preventative maintenance as the vehicle crossed the 85,000-mile threshold. Prospective buyers must prioritise an immediate inspection of the braking and suspension assemblies before committing to purchase. The nearside brake pipe shows corrosion with bubbled protective coating running front to rear, a defect that has persisted since early 2025 and poses a genuine risk of fluid leakage or pipe failure. Simultaneously, the fractured nearside front coil spring identified during the failed test on 6 January 2026 requires urgent replacement, as does the worn rear suspension arm pins and bushes flagged on both sides. These are not minor consumable issues but structural weaknesses that compromise handling stability. The recurring nature of the brake pipe corrosion and the fresh fracture in the front suspension spring point to a vehicle that has endured harsh operating conditions or missed routine undercarriage treatments. The imbalance in the front brakes noted in the latest pass indicates uneven pad or disc wear that could lead to pulling under heavy load. A thorough pre-purchase examination should verify the extent of the pipe corrosion and ensure the new coil spring installation addresses the root cause of the fracture, rather than simply replacing the broken component.