Slight play in lower arm bushes

[AliMcCali]

My Ocean is now 3 years old it passed its MOT but with an advisory.
‘Slight play in lower arm bushes’
I’ve only done 22K miles, no off roading and carefully driven. Is this to be expected? I was advised not covered on warranty

 

[Vagophile]

In 2022 and 2023 my California passed its MoT Test with the advisory "Nearside front lower suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement". The same advisory was given for the offside. Although no repairs have been done, these advisories were not given when the most recent MoT test was carried out. All the tests are from the same garage, but not the same tester. When the vehicle was given the first advisory, the tester said that it was a common "minor" fault with transporters which caused considerable debate over the requirement for reporting.

 

[Velma's Dad]

The lower arm bushes are quite soft and (I'm told by our VW indy service guys) they often get picked up as advisories on MOTs. Check with a trustworthy VW spanners before you replace them because it's quite likely not necessary.

But if they do need changing it's a simple job, shouldn't be too expensive?

My T5 is going for an MOT tomorrow and I expect it will come up again!

 

[Doorbundle]

I was advised of this issue on our van's 3rd MOT 15,790 miles by a local Non-VW Garage.
Result:
Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
• Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

The latest MOT was performed by a VW Van Centre as part of Service & All In Warranty at 18,782 miles.
On that MOT I specifically asked that the above bushes be checked.
The response was that they were 'Normal', with no mention of any alleged wear.

 

[WelshGas]

My Ocean is now 3 years old it passed its MOT but with an advisory.
‘Slight play in lower arm bushes’
I’ve only done 22K miles, no off roading and carefully driven. Is this to be expected? I was advised not covered on warranty

Was the MOT at a VW garage/Dealership?

 

[TripleBee]

My T5.1 is coming 15 years of age.
I have never had any advisory apart from the rusting exhaust for about a year or 3 now.
A few years ago, I had to change these:

But not for play, but for a torn rubber boot.
I don't know why there would be more play in newer vans bushes?

Maybe VW started to buy in lower quality?

 

[Velma's Dad]

My T5 is going for an MOT tomorrow and I expect it will come up again!

Update: van just passed MOT with no advisories. Original (2015) bushes still in place. Hoping the arms stay attached until next year.

 

[AliMcCali]

Was the MOT at a VW garage/Dealership?

Yes. The Birmingham Van Centre from where I bought it brand new.