2016 Volkswagen Golf 1.4L Petrol · BV66 OAO

A repeating pattern of front suspension and rear brake component wear dominates this Golf's MOT history, with both issues flagged across multiple consecutive tests. The most recent examination on 28 July 2026 recorded a pass but carried advisories on the nearside and offside front lower arm rear bushes, alongside a rear brake disc wear advisory noting pitting and scoring. This suspension bush wear was first flagged in the 2025 test on both nearside and offside rear lower arm bushes, and the rear brake disc condition was similarly noted in 2025 as corroded, pitted or scored. The recurrence suggests that these advisories are not transient observations but rather progressive wear items on a chassis now ten years old, which a prospective buyer should treat as components approaching the threshold where replacement becomes necessary rather than optional. At 59,578 miles against a ten-year span, the vehicle has accumulated roughly 5,958 miles annually, which sits below the typical mileage profile for a Golf of this vintage. Eight tests are recorded across the vehicle's life with no significant gaps in annual testing, indicating continuous road use rather than extended periods off the road, although the modest annual accumulation means fewer miles of mechanical stress on consumables. This lower-than-average usage reduces the likelihood of major drivetrain wear such as clutch or dual-mass flywheel fatigue, but it does not eliminate age-related deterioration of rubber and composite components, as evidenced by the suspension bush advisories beginning to surface only in the last two test cycles. The tyre advisories on the 2024 and 2021 tests, including worn-on-edge fronts and sidewall damage, are also consistent with a vehicle that may have spent extended periods stationary, leading to flat-spotting and uneven wear characteristics. Given the recurring advisories on the front lower arm rear bushes, particular attention should be paid on a test drive to any clonks, knocks or imprecise feel from the front suspension when traversing speed bumps, potholes or uneven surfaces. Lift the vehicle if possible or ask the seller to demonstrate jacking points, and physically check the rear bushes of the front lower arms for cracking, splitting, or visible deflection under hand pressure, as these are not easily assessed from a road test alone. For the rear brake discs, listen for any scraping or grinding under light braking, feel for vibration through the pedal or chassis under firm application, and inspect the discs visually for a pronounced lip on the outer edge or visible rust pitting that could compromise braking performance when wet. Additionally, because the front brake pads were noted as wearing thin in 2021, an inspection of pad material thickness and disc condition at all four corners is warranted, with attention to any binding calipers that may explain accelerated wear. The minor advisories on child seats obscuring rear belt inspection in the 2026 test are administrative rather than mechanical and should not influence the assessment. With the rear nearside tyre also flagged for slight damage or cracking in 2024, check all four tyres for perishing, particularly on the sidewalls, and confirm that none are approaching the 1.6mm tread legal minimum. Overall, while the vehicle has not failed any test in the recorded period, the consistent advisory pattern around suspension bushes and brake discs points to age-related mechanical deterioration that is likely to require remedial work within the next twelve to twenty-four months, making a pre-purchase inspection with the vehicle raised on a ramp strongly advisable.