2010 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L Diesel · LG10 LGF

A consistent pattern of brake and tyre deterioration emerges across this Volkswagen Golf's MOT record, with both component groups appearing repeatedly as advisories over recent test cycles and the latest examination on 27 October 2025 confirming the trend has not abated. The vehicle passed that test, but examiners recorded rear brake pads wearing thin alongside front and rear tyres worn close to the legal limit on their inner edges. Earlier records reinforce this recurring theme: rear tyres on both the nearside and offside were flagged for edge wear in October 2022, and the car has now returned from two subsequent clean tests directly to the same brake and tyre advisory territory. One other mechanical concern sits in the archive from June 2019, when a nearside rear shock absorber was noted for light oil misting and limited damping effect, an advisory that was recorded alongside a windscreen washer deficiency that triggered a failure on the same date. No further suspension advisories have appeared since, but the shock finding warrants follow-up given the mileage now on the car. With 143,676 miles recorded and sixteen years of age, the Golf has accumulated roughly 8,980 miles per year, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a car of this vintage. The MOT history shows annual testing in most years from 2019 onwards, with the exception of a small gap between December 2020 and October 2021, and there is no evidence of a long-term lay-up that would compromise components such as the braking system or fuel system through disuse. The mileage itself is substantial and inevitably points to wear across high-mileage consumables, including suspension bushes, engine and gearbox mountings, clutch operation, and exhaust system integrity, none of which are examined under MOT but should be considered when interpreting the test outcomes. The relatively continuous testing history does at least mean the vehicle has been kept on the road and subjected to regular scrutiny, providing a reasonable longitudinal view of its mechanical state. For a prospective buyer, the most pressing items to inspect are those flagged in the most recent advisory notice. Confirm whether the rear brake pads have now been renewed and request the fitting invoice, as driving on metal-backed pads will damage the rear discs, which on a Mk6 Golf are prone to lipping and corrosion at the rubbing surface. A test drive should include several firm stops from around 30 mph to check for pedal judder, pulling to one side, or any grinding sensation, and the inner edges of all four tyres should be measured with a tread depth gauge to confirm legal tread across the full width rather than just the central grooves, since uneven inner-edge wear typically points to geometry misalignment or worn suspension components. Inspect the wheels for uneven scuffing and check the rear tyres in particular, as the 2022 advisory showed both rears wearing on their edges simultaneously, a pattern often linked to a sagging rear beam bush on this generation of Golf. The 2019 shock absorber advisory should not be dismissed simply because no further suspension items have been flagged since. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear over speed humps, rough road surfaces, and undulating tarmac, and pay particular attention to any tendency for the rear of the car to wallow or bounce more than once after pressing down on the boot corner with the vehicle stationary. Leaking shock absorbers typically leave dark wet streaks on the damper body or surrounding spring seat, so a torch inspection of the rear suspension through the wheel arch with the wheel turned is worthwhile. Finally, given the cumulative mileage, ask for evidence of cambelt and water pump replacement if not already documented, as these are due by age and distance on this engine, and have the coolant system, oil filler cap area, and exhaust flex joints examined for the usual signs of age-related seepage that MOT testing does not cover.