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A981 PAT

2003 Volkswagen Golf

Black Petrol 1598cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires20 Apr 2027
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

113,226 mi
Last recorded113,226 miles
Recorded on21 Apr 2026
Typical for 2003 Volkswagen Golf90,330 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

RegistrationA981 PAT
MakeVolkswagen
ModelGolf
Year2003
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,598cc

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

21 pass 8 fail
Pass 21 Apr 2026 113,226 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Offside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

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

Pass 15 Apr 2025 109,228 miles

Central Exhaust mounting defective (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing both sides (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 17 Feb 2024 105,166 miles

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material all rear brake pipes slight rusting (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 7 Mar 2023 101,394 miles

Nearside Front Suspension rod ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Fail 4 Mar 2023 101,372 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Suspension rod ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 22 Feb 2022 98,249 miles

Nearside Front Oil leak, but not excessive DRIVESHAFT OIL SEAL AREA (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge TYRE AT 3.7MM *** LEGAL LIMIT = 1.6MM *** (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 23 Feb 2021 94,931 miles

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

Pass 25 Feb 2020 92,512 miles

Oil leak, but not excessive *** GEARBOX , DRIVESHAFT OIL SEALS LEAKING OIL *** (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Feb 2019 89,495 miles
Fail 19 Feb 2019 89,495 miles

Front Upper Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases MANIFOLD (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (4.1.2 (a))

Pass 14 Feb 2018 86,139 miles
Fail 14 Feb 2018 86,139 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases flexi joint (7.1.2)

Pass 6 Mar 2017 82,904 miles

Rear *** TYRES PERISHING/CRACKING ***

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit ***AT 2.5MM*** LEGAL LIMIT = 1.6MM *** (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit *** AT 2.0MM ***LEGAL LIMIT = 1.6MM *** (4.1.E.1)

Pass 12 Feb 2016 79,647 miles

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Fail 12 Feb 2015 75,269 miles

*** REAR, INNER BRAKE PADS GETTING LOW ***

*** TYRE TREAD DEPTHS = O/S/F , N/S/F AND O/S/R ALL = 5.0MM , N/S/R = 6.0MM *** LEGAL LIMIT = 1.6MM ***

Centre Front Upper Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone 'A' (8.3.1e)

Vehicle's internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

Pass 12 Feb 2015 75,269 miles

*** REAR, INNER BRAKE PADS GETTING LOW ***

*** TYRE TREAD DEPTHS = O/S/F , N/S/F AND O/S/R ALL = 5.0MM , N/S/R = 6.0MM *** LEGAL LIMIT = 1.6MM ***

Vehicle's internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights

Pass 20 Feb 2014 70,456 miles
Fail 17 Feb 2014 70,456 miles

Nearside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 15 Aug 2013 67,218 miles
Pass 31 Aug 2012 60,543 miles
Fail 31 Aug 2012 60,543 miles

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Pass 6 Sep 2011 53,058 miles
Pass 3 Sep 2010 45,034 miles
Fail 3 Sep 2010 45,034 miles

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

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

Pass 28 Aug 2009 37,458 miles
Pass 29 Aug 2008 29,756 miles
Pass 7 Sep 2007 22,718 miles
Fail 7 Sep 2007 22,718 miles

Offside Front Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 11 Sep 2006 17,029 miles

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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A981 PAT is a 2003 Volkswagen Golf in Black with a 1,598cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

Across all 2003 Volkswagen Golf models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.4% with a typical mileage of 90,330 miles. This vehicle is performing in line with others of the same year.

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 A981 PAT, 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 23 years old, this Volkswagen Golf is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A981 PAT?

You can check the full history of A981 PAT by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A981 PAT registered?

A981 PAT is a 2003 Volkswagen Golf, first registered on 10 September 2003.

Is A981 PAT safe to buy?

The MOT history for A981 PAT shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A981 PAT 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 A981 PAT. 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.