2012 Volkswagen Golf 1.4L Petrol · LB12 AEG

The 2025‑12‑29 MOT at 43,086 miles passed, yet the tester noted the front wishbone console bushes are beginning to separate and the offside rear brake shows a slight bind, meaning the vehicle is presently roadworthy but only just. Since the 2024‑12‑27 test at 39,985 miles, the same split bushes and perished tyres persisted, and the earlier 2024‑01‑05 test at 37,266 miles already recorded split bushes and tyre perishing, indicating a consistent decline rather than improvement. The Golf, built in 2012, has accumulated 43,086 miles, averaging just over 3,000 miles per year, which is low for its age but the mileage history shows uneven use. From the 2016‑06‑27 failed test at 14,617 miles to the 2017‑06‑28 passed test at 18,457 miles the vehicle covered 3,840 miles in a single year, and from the 2020‑12‑14 failed test at 28,625 miles to the 2024‑12‑27 passed test at 39,985 miles it added 11,360 miles over four years, roughly 2,840 miles annually. Periods without an MOT between 2021 and 2024 suggest the car may have spent extended time idle, masking the true usage pattern. A buyer should therefore inspect the front wishbone console bushes for separation, test the offside rear brake for binding, and examine the anti‑roll bar linkage dust covers on both front sides for cracks that admit dirt. Check the condition of the rear brake pads and discs, given the repeated thin‑pad warnings, and verify tyre tread depth and sidewall integrity, as perished tyres have recurred. Look for any structural rust or corrosion around suspension mounting points, chassis rails and wheel arches, which could compromise long‑term durability.