2018 Volkswagen Golf 1.5L Petrol · LL68 BAV

A pattern of progressive tyre wear has defined this Volkswagen Golf's recent MOT history, culminating in a Dangerous failure on 7 May 2026 when both rear tyres were found with tread depth below the legal 1.6mm requirement. The 2025 test had already flagged inner-edge wear on both front tyres and both rear inner tyres approaching the legal limit, alongside perishing damage to the nearside rear tyre, suggesting the deterioration was foreseeable rather than sudden. Aside from this, the vehicle has consistently passed its annual inspections, with the only other notable advisories being rear brake pad wear recorded in April 2024. The combination of the rear tyre failure and the cluster of tyre-related advisories across consecutive tests indicates that rubber wear, alignment geometry, or driving style are producing uneven contact patch degradation that warrants close scrutiny before purchase. With 50,108 miles recorded across eight years of service, this Golf has averaged roughly 6,260 miles annually, which sits comfortably within typical parameters for a car of its age and segment. There are no extended gaps in the testing record to suggest prolonged periods off the road, and the steady annual progression implies regular rather than sporadic use. Mileage at this level is unlikely to have produced major drivetrain fatigue on the MQB platform's well-proven TSI or TDI engines, though consumable wear on suspension, braking, and clutch components will be proportionate to the usage. Routine replacement intervals for items such as timing chains, water pumps, and dual-mass flywheels on higher-output variants should still be confirmed via service history documentation. The tyre advisories are the most actionable items for a prospective buyer. Inner-edge wear on both axles, as recorded on the 2025 test, is frequently symptomatic of incorrect wheel alignment, particularly excess negative camber or worn rear suspension bushes and trailing arms, both known wear points on the Mk7 Golf. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed bumps, and feel for any vagueness or wandering from the rear axle during cornering that might indicate bush deterioration. A four-wheel alignment check and inspection of the rear axle components, including the toe-link and trailing arm bushes, would be prudent, and all four tyres should be replaced with matching brand, size, and speed rating regardless of apparent condition. The 2024 advisories on the rear brake pads being thin suggest those pads were approaching the end of their useful life two years ago, meaning a replacement has almost certainly been carried out by now, but the discs should be inspected for lipping, scoring, or corrosion pitting given the vehicle's age. On the road, test the brakes firmly from moderate speed to confirm there is no judder through the pedal, no pulling to one side, and no binding after release, particularly paying attention to the rear calipers, which are prone to slider seizure on Golfs of this generation. The front registration plate deterioration noted on the 2026 test is purely cosmetic, but it is worth replacing before the next test to avoid a repeat advisory. Beyond these specific items, the underlying mechanical record is reassuring for an eight-year-old example, provided the tyre geometry and rear brake components receive proper attention.