2018 Volkswagen Golf 1.5L Petrol · DC18 AOB

The defining mechanical characteristic of this 2018 Volkswagen Golf is a recurrent pattern of inner-edge tyre wear across both axles, which has surfaced at every MOT inspection since 2021. The most recent assessment on 9 July 2026 recorded a pass, but it was immediately preceded by a fail on 6 July 2026 due to both rear tyres being cut beyond the permissible depth, with cords exposed and one containing a nail; the nearside rear also displayed badly uneven inner-edge wear. The advisory items accompanying that 2026 test repeated the same conditions flagged in 2024, when all four tyres were noted as close to the legal limit on the inner edge and a wheel alignment check was specifically recommended. Compounding this, the 2026 advisories introduced a new concern in the form of light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber, suggesting the onset of damper seal degradation that warrants close inspection. Against an age of approximately eight years and a recorded mileage of 64,978, the vehicle has accumulated roughly 8,100 miles annually, which is broadly consistent with typical usage for a Golf of this vintage. There are no extended gaps in the testing record, with annual submissions from 2021 through 2026, indicating the car has remained in regular road use rather than being laid up. Mileage has progressed steadily, and the relatively modest annual accumulation suggests moderate demands on the engine, drivetrain, and braking system, although it does not eliminate wear on components affected by age, corrosion, or standing time between journeys. Importantly, the consistency of the testing pattern allows the advisory trends to be interpreted with reasonable confidence. For a prospective buyer, the priority on inspection is the suspension and geometry package, given the persistent inner-edge wear and the recent shock absorber oil misting. The 2024 advisory explicitly recommended a wheel alignment check, and a four-wheel alignment measurement should be obtained from a specialist, as any deviation in camber or thrust angle will accelerate shoulder wear on a new set of tyres. On the test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which could indicate worn top mounts, drop links, or control arm bushes; pay particular attention to the offside front damper, feeling for any reduction in damping control or a slight wallow during direction changes. With the car at operating temperature, check for fresh oil residue around the front damper bodies and surrounding lower spring seats. The braking system and underbody deserve targeted scrutiny, given the advisory context and the vehicle's age. Inspect the visible brake pipes and flexi hoses for any surface corrosion, particularly along the inner wings and along the fuel and brake lines routed under the floor, as salt exposure on a Golf of this era can produce mid-life rust concerns. Check the rear brake calipers for free slide on the carriers, as binding rear calipers are a known source of uneven rear tyre wear, and verify that the rear discs are not lipped beyond serviceable limits. Finally, examine the windscreen wiper pattern with the screen wet, since both front wipers failed the effectiveness test in 2024, and confirm that the rear tyres fitted to the vehicle currently are not budget products with poor wear characteristics, as the fitment quality will directly influence how quickly the recurring inner-edge wear pattern reappears.