2018 Volkswagen Golf 1.5L Petrol · LX68 SXK

This Golf presents a largely clean roadworthiness record with one notable blemish: a failed test in September 2023 for both front headlamps aimed too high, a defect rectified the same day with an immediate pass. Since then the trajectory has been improving, with three consecutive clean passes and no advisories whatsoever at the most recent test on 21 October 2025. The only recurring theme in the history is tyre condition, with perishing and cracking flagged on three corners in 2022 and the offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit on its inner edge back in 2021. Inner-edge wear on a front tyre can point towards tracking or wheel alignment issues, so while the recent clean sheets are encouraging, the earlier pattern is worth keeping in mind. At eight years old with just 29,112 recorded miles, this Golf has averaged roughly 3,600 miles per year, well below the typical UK average. The annual test dates have been consistent each autumn with no gaps in the record, suggesting regular if light use rather than extended lay-ups. Low annual mileage means less wear on the drivetrain, clutch, and suspension than an equivalent high-mileage example, but it does align with the tyre perishing noted in 2022, as rubber degrades with age regardless of distance covered. The rear brake pads flagged as wearing thin in 2022 appear to have been addressed, given the absence of any brake-related commentary in the three subsequent tests. For a prospective buyer, the tyres deserve the closest scrutiny. Given that three tyres were noted as cracking or perishing in 2022, confirm whether they have been replaced since; if the same tyres remain, they would now be considerably older and the sidewalls and tread grooves should be inspected for crazing. On the test drive, check for uneven steering feel or the car pulling to one side, which could indicate the alignment issue implied by the earlier inner-edge wear, and inspect the front tyres for asymmetric shoulder wear. The braking system warrants a practical check too: listen for any grinding or squeal from the rear axle and feel for judder through the pedal, given the pad wear advisory from 2022. The headlamp aim failure from 2023 was a minor, easily corrected fault, but it is worth verifying both headlamps are secure and correctly aligned. Overall, the recent run of advisory-free passes is a positive indicator, though a pre-purchase inspection of the tyres and a check of wheel alignment would be sensible precautions before committing.