DVLA verified

MOT valid

Tax valid

1998 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF1.6L Petrol

S431 APL

Vehicle Insight Summary

This 1998 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF is a Petrol vehicle with a 1595cc engine. Currently it has a valid MOT and is taxed for road use. The latest recorded mileage is 92,301.

MOT

Valid

Expires 28/11/2026

Tax

Taxed

Expires 01/12/2026

Mileage: 92,301
Fuel: Petrol
Year: 1998
Engine: 1595cc

Free vehicle health score

/ 100 · Good

Public record health check: Good.

Based on free DVLA & DVSA signals. Premium checks for stolen/finance/write-off history are locked below.

✓ Valid MOT

✓ Taxed

! Average MOT pass rate (60%)

! Older vehicle

A score of 75 doesn't mean it's safe to buy. Private markers don't appear in public data.

Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for S431APL

Data provided by Experian

Stolen

Locked

Finance

Locked

Write-off

Locked

Salvage

Locked

Imported

Locked

Exported

Locked

Scrapped

Locked

Destruction

Locked

V5C Logbook

Locked

Premium Data Locked

Unlock the full Experian-powered report to reveal outstanding finance, write-off history, stolen status, and more.

Data provided by Experian

Technical Specifications

AI Intelligence

What's this car worth today?

Get an instant, AI-powered valuation based on live market data, this exact model, and recent auction results.

Full MOT History

Live data last synced with DVSA: 30 Jul 2026, 00:05

AI Analysis · MOT Narrative

Registered in 1998, this Volkswagen Golf with plate S431 APL has undergone 5 MOT inspections since November 2023.

Across its entire MOT history, this Volkswagen has a 60% success rate (3 passes and 2 fails). This is an average MOT record. Some attention to recurring issues may be beneficial.

The most commonly flagged areas across all MOT tests are: Lighting (4 issues). These areas are worth paying attention to when inspecting this vehicle.

A total of 1 failure item has been recorded across all tests. Recent failure items include: “Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))”.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

PASS

FAIL

ADVISORY

Buyer's Guide

AI-powered analysis based on real MOT data and market insights.

Buying Score

72/100

Risk Level

Medium

Est. Annual Cost

£700-£900

Mileage

The mileage is significantly below avera...

Our Verdict

A surprisingly low-mileage modern classic that shows potential but requires immediate electrical and mechanical attention. While the mileage is impressive for its age, the recent ABS failure and recurring bulb issues need close scrutiny before purchase.

When inspecting this Mk4 Golf, your priority is the service history. Because the car has driven fewer than 4,000 miles a year, rubber components and seals may age rather than wear out. Ask if the timing belt has been replaced recently, as this is critical for the 1.6L engine. Check for any signs of rust on the sills and wheel arches, which are common for this era of Golf.

Negotiate based on the recent ABS failure noted in November 2025. An ABS fault can range from a simple wheel sensor replacement to an expensive pump module failure. Also, ensure all exterior lights are functioning, as this vehicle has a history of multiple bulb failures (stop lamps, position lamps, and registration lamps) indicating potential wiring issues or simple owner oversight.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — AI-assisted analysis verified by automotive experts.