2009 Volkswagen Golf 1.6L Petrol · LS59 FNA

The 2009 Volkswagen Golf passed its most recent MOT on 28 July 2025 at 110,275 miles, but the record reveals a maintenance pattern best described as borderline rather than reassuring. The tester flagged rear brake pads wearing thin, an offside front suspension arm pin or bush worn, and general underbody corrosion. These are not fresh failures, yet they are not fully resolved either; the advisories sit in a grey area where minor wear has been tolerated rather than corrected. The trend across the last three years is broadly stable but not improving, with suspension components and corrosion appearing repeatedly without evidence of permanent repair. Mileage accumulation is consistent and unremarkable. Between the December 2022 pass at 99,703 miles and the December 2024 pass at 107,538 miles, the car covered 7,835 miles in two years, then added a further 2,737 miles by July 2025. That equates to roughly 6,500 miles per year, typical for a 17-year-old vehicle. No sudden jumps or suspicious gaps appear in the record, and the odometer progression supports the stated history. The car has not stood idle for long periods, which means wear on consumables and structural components is at least predictable. The recurring theme in the MOT history is suspension component deterioration. Nearside and offside front suspension arm pins or bushes have been noted as worn in both the 2024 and 2025 tests, while anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust covers were flagged as severely deteriorated or split in 2022. Dust covers may sound trivial, but once compromised they accelerate wear on the joint itself, leading to play, clunking, and eventual failure. A buyer should physically inspect all front suspension bushes, ball joints, and anti-roll bar links for play and deterioration, paying particular attention to the offside front where the latest advisory sits. Corrosion is the other concern. The 2025 test recorded general underbody corrosion, and earlier entries note full underbody covers fitted at the time of testing, which can mask the true extent of rust on subframes, sills, and brake lines. The 2024 advisory for a front oil leak, though described as not excessive, also warrants investigation, as oil contamination can affect suspension bushings and brake components. A thorough underbody inspection on a ramp is essential, along with checking the condition of all brake lines, fuel lines, and structural mounting points before committing to purchase.