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2016 Volkswagen Golf 1.6L Diesel · T31 MAR

T31 MAR

2016 Volkswagen Golf (1.6L, diesel). First registered 08 Nov 2016. Recorded mileage 76,578 miles. MOT valid until 17 Mar 2027.

Make & Model
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Year / Origin
2016
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Valid until 17 Mar 2027
Road Tax
—
Recorded Mileage
76,578 mi
ULEZ Compliance
ULEZ Compliant (Euro 6 Diesel)
Fuel & Engine
Diesel · 1.6L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Valid
Valid until 17 Mar 2027
Tax Status
Check Tax
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Fuel Type
Diesel
Year
2016
Engine
1598cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The vehicle currently holds a valid pass certificate issued on 18 March 2026 at 76,578 miles, and the maintenance trend across the supplied records reads as stable with no mechanical defects or advisories logged at any stage. On that date the tester first recorded a fail at 76,576 miles with no defects cited, then granted a pass two miles later; an identical pattern occurred on 17 March 2025 at 50,362 miles. Such repeat fail-with-no-defect entries point to administrative anomalies rather than worsening condition, and the absence of recorded faults suggests consistent basic compliance. Mileage progression shows a pronounced shift in usage intensity. In the October 2023 test at 49,345 miles the Golf exhibited light running, adding only 1,017 miles by the March 2025 examination at 50,362 miles across seventeen months. The subsequent twelve months to March 2026 saw 26,216 miles accrued, lifting the odometer to 76,578 miles and pushing annual use well above the circa 7,658-mile lifetime average. This late-life surge implies the prior keeper kept the car largely stationary before a period of heavy commuting or long-distance travel preceded sale. A buyer should still commission a physical inspection of core mechanical and structural elements despite the clean documentary trail. The tester never flagged suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs or corrosion, yet a ten-year-old Volkswagen Golf demands hands-on checks for perished rubber, binding calipers and underbody rust that could compromise structural integrity. The unexplained fail entries warrant a query with the selling party to confirm whether mileage discrepancies or documentation issues triggered them. Verify exhaust emissions under load and scrutinise tyre tread and wiper blades for consumable wear not captured by the automated record.
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T31 MAR Key Findings

  • 5 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 18/03/2026
  • 76,578 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 2 historical MOT failures
  • 1 defect noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring tyres items (4 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

T31 MAR MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 29 Sept 2026, 17:53
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2016 Volkswagen Golf (T31 MAR) between October 2023 and March 2026.

The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.

The most recent test on 18 March 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: Tyres (4 issues), Brakes (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 3 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 Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e))”; “Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii))”; “Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e))”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

T31 MAR Mileage History

  1. 09/10/202349,345 mi
  2. 17/03/202550,362 mi+1,017 mi
  3. 17/03/202550,362 mi
  4. 18/03/202676,576 mi+26,214 mi
  5. 18/03/202676,578 mi+2 mi

Average of roughly 11,160 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.

Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant

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MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
53
/ 100 · Below Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Below 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.

✓ Valid MOT
! Tax Status Unknown
! Average MOT pass rate (60%)
✗ 3 dangerous defects found recently
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Experian Provenance Data

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9 Key Registers

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OUTSTANDING FINANCE

Experian Register

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INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

MIAFTR Register

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POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

Police PNC

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SALVAGE & AUCTION

Salvage Registers

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IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

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EXPORTED MARKER

Export Register

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SCRAPPED RECORD

Scrappage Register

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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

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V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

DVLA Master

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Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
72/100
Risk Level
Medium
Medium
Est. Annual Cost
£1,000-£1,400
Mileage
The recorded mileage of 76,578 is around...

Our Verdict

This 2016 Volkswagen Golf diesel is broadly acceptable but approach with caution due to two MOT failures with no recorded defects. The most recent clean pass and sensible mileage for its age are reassuring, but the failed tests warrant clarification before purchase.

Before committing to buy this Golf, ask the seller for the full circumstances behind the two MOT failures dated 18 March 2026 and 17 March 2025, both of which show 'no defects recorded'. This pattern can occur due to administrative errors, late presentation, or a retest following a minor issue cleared on the same day, but you should confirm the car was never off the road for a significant fault. Check the service history thoroughly, as a 1.6 diesel from 2016 should have evidence of regular oil changes, timing belt interval compliance, and DPF usage suited to the prior owner's driving style.

As a 1598cc diesel, this Golf should return strong fuel economy, typically 55-65 mpg in mixed driving, keeping weekly fuel costs modest for a commuter. Road tax for a 2016 diesel Euro 6 model is usually in the £20-£35 annual band, though confirm the exact rate via the DVLA using the registration T31MAR. Insurance group for a 1.6 diesel Golf of this year is commonly Group 10-14, giving reasonable premiums for most drivers.

Inspect the vehicle in person and request the MOT test certificates or DVSA records explaining the 2026-03-18 and 2025-03-17 failures showing no defects, as these are unusual and must be verified. Although the latest pass recorded no defects, physically check the brake condition, tyre tread, and suspension given the car has added over 26,000 miles between the October 2023 and March 2026 tests.

The blue 2016 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI (registration T31MAR) shows a recent MOT pass at 76,578 miles on 18 March 2026 with no defects noted. However, the same date also shows a failed test at 76,576 miles with no defects recorded, mirroring a similar pass-fail pattern in March 2025 at 50,362 miles. At just under 9 years old, the car has covered 76,578 miles, which is reasonable for a diesel Golf of this era.

No aggregate MOT reliability data is available for the Volkswagen Golf to benchmark this specific vehicle against typical failure rates.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns