2002 Volkswagen Golf 1.8L Petrol · LF02 GWM
2002 Volkswagen Golf (1.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Mar 2002. Recorded mileage 148,454 miles. MOT expired on 07 Dec 2022. Currently declared SORN.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Stanmore (North London)
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 07 Dec 2022
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 148,454 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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LF02 GWM Key Findings
- 2 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 08/12/2021
- 148,454 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 3 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (8 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
LF02 GWM MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
2 MOT tests are recorded for this 2002 Volkswagen Golf (LF02 GWM) between December 2021 and December 2021.
The record contains 1 pass and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 08 December 2021 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (8 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Lighting (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 7 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: “Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel hand brake (1.1.2 (a))”; “Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))”; “Offside Rear Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))”.
LF02 GWM Mileage History
- 03/12/2021148,453 mi
- 08/12/2021148,454 mi+1 mi
Average of roughly 70 miles per year across 2 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
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.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Proceed with extreme caution. The vehicl
The primary priority for any buyer is to ensure the vehicle passes a fresh MOT test before funds are exchanged. Because the car has been off the MOT register for nearly five years, there is a high probability of seized brakes, perished tyres, and advanced corrosion that may not be immediately apparent.
Negotiate the price based on the cost of bringing the vehicle back to a roadworthy standard. You should request a full service history to see if any mechanical work was performed during the period where MOT data is missing, specifically looking for timing belt replacements which are critical for this 1.8L engine.
The 1.8L petrol engine will be more expensive to run in terms of fuel and road tax than the smaller engine variants of the Golf. Insurance groups for a 2002 model are generally low, but maintenance costs are likely to be higher due to the vehicle's age and the potential for neglected upkeep during its time off the road.
Typical annual expenses will include fuel, tax, and a higher-than-average maintenance budget to address age-related wear and tear. The estimated annual running cost is approximately £1,200-£1,600.
Carefully inspect the braking system; the December 2021 MOT failure recorded a binding offside rear service brake, an inoperative parking brake on one side, and insufficient handbrake travel. Check the condition of the brake discs, which were flagged as worn and pitted in the last recorded test.
Examine the underside for corrosion, specifically the offside rear coil spring and the exhaust silencer clamps, both of which were noted as corroded in 2021. Additionally, check the anti-roll bars and tyres, as these are identified as top failure reasons for this model across aggregate data.
This silver 2002 Volkswagen Golf 1.8 petrol has a recorded mileage of 148,454 miles as of its last MOT in late 2021. The available history shows a failure and subsequent pass in December 2021, with significant issues noted regarding the braking system and corrosion. There is a critical five-year gap in the MOT record between 2021 and the current date in 2026.
Based on data from 993,440 vehicles, this model has an average MOT pass rate of 80.8%, with tyres, exhausts, and anti-roll bars being the most common failure points.
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
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