2018 Volkswagen Golf 1.0L Petrol · FV67 XUN

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf passed its most recent MOT on 2nd February 2026 at 105,336 miles, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. That test followed a failure on the same day, where the tester flagged a windscreen washer fault alongside four suspension and braking advisories. Both front brake discs were worn, pitted, or scored, and both the nearside front and nearside rear shock absorbers were noted as having light oil misting. These are not new issues. The same shock absorber and brake disc advisories appeared on the retest, meaning the underlying wear was present but did not deteriorate enough to cause a failure. A clean pass in January 2025 at 100,623 miles makes the sudden cluster of defects in early 2026 stand out sharply. The mileage accumulation tells a consistent story of high annual use. Between March 2023 at 76,599 miles and February 2026 at 105,336 miles, the car covered roughly 28,737 miles in under three years, averaging close to 10,000 miles per year in that period alone. The jump from 91,384 miles in March 2024 to 100,623 miles by January 2025 adds another 9,239 miles in just over ten months. This is a vehicle that has been driven hard and frequently, placing sustained stress on consumable components, particularly brakes, suspension bushes, and damping units. The MOT record is sparse, with only five tests across eight years, but the data points are consistent and show no evidence of long-term standing or neglect through inactivity. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front brake discs and pads, checking for lipping, scoring, and thickness against manufacturer minimums. The repeated advisories on both front discs suggest either aggressive driving, a dragging caliper, or simply high-mileage wear that has not yet been addressed with replacement. The shock absorber oil misting on both the nearside front and nearside rear units warrants close examination. Light misting can be an early sign of seal degradation rather than catastrophic failure, but it indicates the dampers are approaching the end of their service life. Inspect for wetness around the piston seals, check for uneven tyre wear that might confirm damping loss, and test the suspension by pressing each corner to assess rebound control. Beyond the flagged items, the high-mileage pattern means the exhaust system, particularly the catalytic converter and DPF if fitted, should be assessed for efficiency and structural integrity. Engine and gearbox mounts, track rod ends, and wishbone bushes are all prone to accelerated wear at this mileage. The windscreen washer fault from the failed test appears to have been resolved before the retest, but verifying fluid delivery and nozzle function remains worthwhile. Overall, the car presents as a high-mileage example with emerging suspension and braking wear that a diligent buyer can quantify with a thorough in-person inspection.