2014 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L Diesel · KR14 PKA

The 2014 Volkswagen Golf presents a pattern of mostly clean roadworthiness interspersed with recurring minor advisories that together paint a picture of a vehicle that has been well-maintained between tests but carries persistent small issues requiring attention. The most recent MOT on 2026-08-26 resulted in a pass, though it carried a note about light oil misting on both sides of the rear shock absorbers (advisory 5.3.2(b)). Across the eight recorded tests spanning from 2019 to 2026, the majority were clean passes with no new major failures, yet the presence of three distinct advisories—tyre wear on both front and offside rear positions, brake imbalance requiring adjustment, and braking surface wear on both rear discs—indicates that certain systems have accumulated wear despite regular inspections. The overall trajectory suggests a stable chassis with intermittent component degradation rather than progressive deterioration, though the recurring nature of the tyre and brake concerns warrants close examination before purchase. The recorded mileage of 85,062 miles across approximately twelve years averages out to roughly 7,088 miles per annum, which aligns with typical usage for a model of this age and fits within the expected consumption range for the vehicle. There are no significant gaps in the MOT testing timeline that would suggest extended lay-offs, nor does the mileage increase dramatically in any single interval that might point to a particular phase of heavy driving. The most notable observation is the consistent presence of tyre-related advisories starting in 2023, indicating that the front and offside rear tyres have been worn close to legal limits on multiple occasions, while the 2022 test also flagged rear brake imbalance and pitting on both rear brake discs. These patterns suggest that either driving conditions have remained constant enough to produce similar wear profiles annually, or that the vehicle has been subjected to similar loads repeatedly throughout its life. Buyers should pay particular attention to the rear shock absorbers, as the current MOT noted light oil misting on both sides—a sign of possible internal leakage that could eventually affect damping performance and handling. A test drive should be conducted carefully around potholes and uneven surfaces to assess whether the shocks exhibit any softness, knocking, or uneven ride quality that would indicate accelerated wear beyond the initial oil misting. The two front tyres that have shown edge wear on multiple occasions require verification that they are indeed properly inflated and that their tread depth remains adequate; replacement may be necessary even if the legal minimum is being met. Additionally, the rear brake discs showing signs of scoring or pitting demand confirmation that the pads are still functional and that the discs have not suffered structural damage that could affect stopping power; a professional brake inspection is advisable before committing to this vehicle. Finally, given the age of the vehicle and the recurring tyre and brake issues, it is prudent to conduct a full visual inspection of the subframe and wheel arches for rust or corrosion, particularly around the rear shock mount attachment points where moisture accumulation could exacerbate the existing rear-side oil misting problem.