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A16 VAA

1990 Volkswagen Golf

Grey Petrol 1781cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Mar 2027
Tests44 (28 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate63.6%

Mileage

139,331 mi
Last recorded139,331 miles
Recorded on18 Mar 2026
Typical for 1990 Volkswagen Golf121,310 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA16 VAA
MakeVolkswagen
ModelGolf
Year1990
ColourGrey
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,781cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

28 pass 16 fail
Pass 18 Mar 2026 139,331 miles

General corrosion underside (undersealed)

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 8 Sep 2025 141,449 miles

Rear Service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.2 (a) (i))

various sealant and underseal underneath

Fail 29 Aug 2025 141,391 miles

Nearside Front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing has excessive wear or free play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Steering system excessively rough (2.1.1 (a))

Rear Service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.2 (a) (i))

various sealant and underseal underneath

Pass 13 Mar 2025 138,373 miles

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened front and rear (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

has corrosion under body, sills and suspension components but not considered excessive but getting more advanced

Fail 13 Mar 2025 138,373 miles

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened front and rear (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

has corrosion under body, sills and suspension components but not considered excessive but getting more advanced

Pass 2 Sep 2024 139,065 miles
Fail 2 Sep 2024 139,065 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 19 Mar 2024 137,852 miles

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

has slight corrosion under body

Fail 12 Mar 2024 137,838 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength jacking point (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Steering box leaking oil (2.1.1 (e) (i))

has slight corrosion under body

Pass 11 Mar 2023 136,986 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2022 138,581 miles
Fail 26 Jul 2022 138,581 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a))

Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Headlamp light source and lamp not compatible (4.1.4 (c))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Steering wheel rim loose (2.2.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 12 Mar 2022 135,970 miles
Pass 29 Jun 2021 135,950 miles

No oil or charging light

Rear Fuel pipe from pump corroded

Fail 29 Jun 2021 135,946 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

No oil or charging light

Rear Fuel pipe from pump corroded

Pass 29 Apr 2020 135,663 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 17 May 2019 134,379 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 23 Apr 2019 134,355 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush excessively worn mount (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Boot lock not opening

Both rear tyres damaged due to rubbing on wheel arch

Front Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Modified engine and exhaust

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 13 Aug 2018 134,355 miles

Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing (1.1.2 (c))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage loose seat belt stalk (7.1.1 (b))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Power steering component leaking (2.1.5 (a))

Power steering malfunctioning (2.1.5 (a))

Driver's seat insecure (6.2.5 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Power steering inoperative and steering adversely affected (2.1.5 (c) (ii)) DANGEROUS

brake fluid low

front brake discs corroded

front brakes out of balance

front exhaust joint leaking

fuel filter corroded

nearside and offside front floors

nearside and offside front tyres worn

nearside and offside rear axle bushes perished and split

nearside and offside rear footbrake readings low

offside front brake binding

play in nearside rear wheel bearing

rear brake pads worn low

sill covers fitted

windscreen damaged

Pass 14 Dec 2017 135,641 miles
Pass 19 Jul 2016 129,905 miles

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 18 Jul 2016 134,350 miles

brake pipes under sealed when presented for test

Fail 18 Jul 2016 134,349 miles

Nearside Front Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

brake pipes under sealed when presented for test

Fail 8 Jul 2016 129,846 miles

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded ach (2.4.A.3)

Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 1 Jun 2015 133,218 miles

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

underneath vehicle been waxed oil all over underneath vehicle

Fail 1 Jun 2015 133,218 miles

Offside Headlamp aim too far to the right (1.8)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

underneath vehicle been waxed oil all over underneath vehicle

Fail 6 May 2015 123,552 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too low and too far to the left. (1.8)

Pass 6 May 2015 123,552 miles
Pass 27 Apr 2013 121,224 miles
Pass 21 Jun 2012 130,459 miles

Power steering component(s) has slight seepage from a component (2.3.3b)

Pass 21 Apr 2012 118,183 miles
Pass 2 May 2011 115,208 miles
Pass 8 Apr 2011 124,726 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Pass 20 Apr 2010 111,970 miles

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 19 Apr 2010 111,970 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Nearside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 12 Apr 2010 118,120 miles
Pass 20 May 2009 107,628 miles

Advise underbody rustproofing with attention to brake pipes

Drivers door trim (internal) not fitted at time of test

Fuel pump noisy.

Lowered (coil over) adjustable susension fitted to vehicle

Main beam warning tell tale not working

Pass 6 Apr 2009 111,040 miles

Coolant leak

Fail 6 Apr 2009 111,040 miles

Coolant leak

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 15 May 2008 106,224 miles

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Vehicle suspension lowered

Fail 6 May 2008 106,222 miles

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Vehicle suspension lowered

Pass 3 Jan 2007 103,179 miles

Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated (2.5.C.1a)

Pass 25 Oct 2005 90,264 miles
Fail 24 Oct 2005 90,263 miles

Offside Front rear brake grabbing severely (3.7.A.5b)

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Golf?

Based on 22,270,993 MOT tests across 1,787,037 vehicles.

74.9%
Pass Rate
6,735
Miles/Year
37
Year Lifespan
1,787,037
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 700,382
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 301,629
Stop lamp not working 260,234
position lamp(s) not working 257,206
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 229,092
Full Volkswagen Golf reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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A16 VAA is a 1990 Volkswagen Golf in Grey with a 1,781cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 44 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 63.6%.

Across all 1990 Volkswagen Golf models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.2% with a typical mileage of 121,310 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Volkswagen Golf fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 700,382 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A16 VAA, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Golf typically stays on UK roads for around 37 years. At 36 years old, this Volkswagen Golf is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A16 VAA?

You can check the full history of A16 VAA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A16 VAA registered?

A16 VAA is a 1990 Volkswagen Golf, first registered on 31 December 1990.

Is A16 VAA safe to buy?

The MOT history for A16 VAA shows 44 tests with a 63.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A16 VAA have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on A16 VAA. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.