1997 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L Petrol · R718 BEY
1997 Volkswagen Golf (2.0L, petrol). First registered 12 Aug 1997. Recorded mileage 161,338 miles. MOT valid until 02 Apr 2027.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 02 Apr 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 161,338 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
R718 BEY Key Findings
- 4 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 01/04/2026
- 161,338 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (10 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R718 BEY MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
4 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Volkswagen Golf (R718 BEY) between November 2023 and April 2026.
The record contains 2 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 01 April 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (10 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (6 issues), Bodywork (3 issues), Suspension (1 issue), Lighting (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 9 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: “Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a bod”; “Nearside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a bo”; “Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (4.4.3 (b))”.
R718 BEY Mileage History
- 13/11/2023158,714 mi
- 04/04/2025158,715 mi+1 mi
- 23/03/2026161,318 mi+2,603 mi
- 01/04/2026161,338 mi+20 mi
Average of roughly 1,102 miles per year across 4 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Volkswagen Volkswagen Golf Mk4 (1J)
Our database tracks 4 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: 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.
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VOLKSWAGEN GOLF Model Intelligence & Reliability
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Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1997 model year cars.
- Door Lock Microswitch Internal Solder Joint FractureModerate
The microswitch inside the integrated door latch mechanism suffers from cracked solder joints and worn plastic cams, preventing the car from registering whether the door is open or closed.
- Electric Window Regulator Plastic Runner Clip ShearingModerate
Factory window regulator clips were molded from fragile plastic that cracks over time, causing the window glass to drop suddenly into the door cavity and jam.
- Front Anti-Roll Bar Plastic Bush Collar Cracking & KnockingModerate
The front anti-roll bar on early Mk4s features plastic bonded collars beneath the rubber bushes that crack and allow road grit in, corroding the bar and causing severe clunking over bumps.
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