2017 Volkswagen Golf 1.6L Diesel · YC17 YCB

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history shows a worsening trend of neglect regarding routine wear items. While the most recent test in October 2025 at 49,392 miles passed, it revealed several new advisories alongside unresolved issues from the previous year. The trend indicates that the owner only addresses faults when they threaten an MOT pass rather than performing preventative maintenance, as evidenced by the recurring failure of the brake pads and suspension components across the last three testing cycles. At approximately nine years old, the recorded 49,392 miles represent a low annual average of roughly 5,500 miles. This low mileage typically suggests less strain on the drivetrain, yet the data shows significant intervals of low usage. Between October 2023 and October 2024, the car covered only 4,686 miles, suggesting the vehicle sits for long periods at a time. Such low-use patterns can lead to the degradation of rubber components and seals, which may explain the persistent oil misting on the offside front shock absorber. A buyer must prioritise inspecting the rear braking system, as both nearside and offside pads were flagged as thin in three consecutive tests back to 2023. The offside front shock absorber has shown signs of leaking since at least 2024, which should be checked for total seal failure that could compromise handling stability. The damaged engine under tray noted in October 2025 requires a physical inspection to ensure no impact damage has occurred to the oil sump or lower engine casing. Additionally, the electrical functionality of the windscreen wiper switch and wiper blade should be verified, as these have been flagged as defective since 2024 and remain unfixed.