2002 Volkswagen Golf 2.3L Petrol · KW51 BCZ
2002 Volkswagen Golf (2.3L, petrol). First registered 01/01/2002. Recorded mileage 194,962 miles. MOT valid until 14/03/2027. Taxed until 01/05/2027.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Northampton
- MOT Status
- Valid until 14/03/2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01/05/2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 194,962 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 2.3L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- PETROL
- Year
- 2002
- Engine
- 2324cc
KW51 BCZ Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 13/03/2026
- 194,962 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (10 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Good
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
KW51 BCZ Mileage History
- 19/02/2024181,927 mi
- 14/03/2025187,761 mi+5,834 mi
- 15/03/2025187,761 mi
- 13/03/2026194,962 mi+7,201 mi
- 13/03/2026194,962 mi
Average of roughly 6,323 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
KW51 BCZ MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2002 Volkswagen Golf (KW51 BCZ) between February 2024 and March 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 13 March 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (10 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Lighting (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 11 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with extreme caution. While this 2.3L petrol Golf has been maintained enough to pass MOTs, the recurring advisory issues and history of dangerous tyre failures suggest a pattern of reactive rather than proactive maintenance.
If you are considering this vehicle, your first priority should be verifying the service history, specifically regarding the braking system. The MOT history shows that both nearside and offside rear brake discs have been noted as 'pitted or scored' for at least three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026). You should negotiate a significant discount to cover the immediate replacement of these discs and pads.
Furthermore, check the recent work done following the March 2026 failure. The vehicle failed on a non-working nearside rear position lamp, which is a simple fix, but you should also inspect the tyres. This vehicle has a history of 'Dangerous' failures due to exposed cords on front tyres (noted in 2022 and 2025), suggesting the previous owner may have been running rubber to the absolute legal limit.
With a 2.3L petrol engine, this Golf will be relatively expensive to run compared to modern equivalents. Expect higher-than-average fuel consumption and a higher insurance group due to the engine displacement.
Maintenance costs are likely to be frequent. Given the history of coil spring fractures, steering rack gaiter issues, and recurring brake advisories, you should budget for regular suspension and braking component replacements. Estimated annual running costs, including fuel, tax, insurance, and maintenance, are likely to sit in the £1,500-£2,000 range depending on annual mileage.
Focus heavily on the braking system; the MOT history repeatedly flags the rear discs as pitted or scored, so ensure these have actually been replaced and not just 'passed' on an advisory. Inspect the rear brake calipers for signs of sticking, which could be causing the surface deterioration.
Check the suspension thoroughly. This model has a history of fractured coil springs (noted in 2020 and 2022) and steering rack gaiter issues (2019, 2020). A test drive is essential to listen for knocks or clunks from the front end. Finally, verify that all exterior lighting is fully functional, as bulbs and position lamps have been a recurring cause of MOT failures for this specific car.
This 2002 Volkswagen Golf is a high-mileage example, currently sitting at 194,962 miles. While it has a consistent history of passing its MOT, the records show frequent failures related to tyres, lighting, and suspension components. The most concerning trend is the persistent advisory regarding pitted and scored rear brake discs, which has appeared in almost every MOT test since at least 2023.
While aggregate data for this specific Golf generation is unavailable, the individual history of this vehicle suggests a need for diligent mechanical oversight.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (KW51 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as KW51BCZ.