Doesn't look right to me.

Report back please. Remember the cam rotates at half the speed of the crank, so piston 1 is at top dead centre twice for each rotation of the cam and skew gear.

Rotate by hand the engine one full revolution only and check again.

For any photos of the pulley? Didn't realise they were the same pulley.

Yes, they can.

Convert the "pull to stop" to a series 3 choke cable, use that to activate the glow plug relay.

Valves or rings? Pour oil down the bores and re do the compression test

Engine swaps are common, the engine blocks are physically compatible, so it's possible that it has a new engine somewhere along the way. Or the factory got it wrong..... So long as the log book and the vehicle match, all is good.

It's so marginal. What's your usage? Local or long distance?

Yep, you can get an MOT on an unregistered vehicle. I've two to do so got the guy to double check.

Ignition switch. Or relay.

Options. Poor electrics, as in the cables aren't up to it. Heat soak from the exhaust. Or the wrong starter for the ring gear.

Budget for a new master cylinder.

Please report back, these look interesting.

I think, fairly certain, the 2.5 has a different ring gear. So that's out.

Nice one, I'd never have a 2286 diesel again, but perhaps if mine had been timed right I mightn't feel that way....

Pictures?

Nice Santana!

It's not a bad option, I drove mine for a few years. I started towing a lot heavier stuff so put the turbo back on. The turbo makes towing at sixty easier.

This is true. A di200 isn't a bad engine, but not nearly as good as a TDI.