2018 Volkswagen Golf 1.0L Petrol · FP18 ACV

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a worsening condition regarding the front suspension. While the most recent test in March 2026 at 48,566 miles only flagged light oil misting on both front shock absorbers and a perishing nearside rear tyre, this represents a progression from the February 2023 failure where the offside rear shock absorber exhibited a serious fluid leak. The persistent issues suggest the dampers are nearing the end of their functional life. The mileage pattern is consistent with an eight-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,000 miles per year. There is a significant gap of 9,191 miles between February 2025 and March 2026, and a 6,198-mile interval between February 2024 and 2025. This low annual mileage suggests the car is used sporadically or sits for long periods, which likely explains the recurring issues with tyre cracking and perishing noted throughout the record rather than tread-related wear. A buyer must personally inspect the front shock absorbers closely, as the oil misting has remained across the last three successful tests. The recurring advisories for perished and cracked tyres on the offside front and nearside rear indicate that the rubber components are degrading due to age rather than distance, necessitating immediate replacement to ensure safety. Additionally, the rear brake pads were flagged as thin in early 2023, so the remaining friction material should be verified to ensure they were addressed following that failure.