CarVerify

Free Car Check

R145 ARJ

1998 Volkswagen Golf

Red Petrol 1984cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Nov 2026
Tests36 (20 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

138,176 mi
Last recorded138,176 miles
Recorded on30 Oct 2025
Typical for 1998 Volkswagen Golf100,017 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationR145 ARJ
MakeVolkswagen
ModelGolf
Year1998
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,984cc

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

20 pass 16 fail
Pass 30 Oct 2025 138,176 miles

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

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

Fail 29 Oct 2025 138,176 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 28 Oct 2025 138,168 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard (8.2.1.1 (a))

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

Nearside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (5.2.3 (i))

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

Offside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (5.2.3 (i))

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

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

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

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Pass 31 Oct 2024 137,282 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 4 Nov 2023 136,450 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Nov 2022 135,125 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp does not illuminate (7.1.6 (a))

Fail 28 Oct 2022 135,105 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

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

Exhaust catalytic converter missing where one was fitted as standard (8.2.1.1 (a))

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

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

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (4.1.2 (a))

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

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Nearside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Pass 25 Oct 2021 106,560 miles

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin both (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Driver's view to the front outside the swept area of the windscreen wipers restricted by an obstruction roof lining hanging down (3.1 (a) (i))

Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced both inner door shut (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Front indicator lamp have water in them both

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin both (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 22 Oct 2021 106,560 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin both (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Driver's view to the front outside the swept area of the windscreen wipers restricted by an obstruction roof lining hanging down (3.1 (a) (i))

Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced both inner door shut (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Front indicator lamp have water in them both

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin both (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Oct 2020 106,490 miles

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Driver's view to the front outside the swept area of the windscreen wipers restricted by an obstruction roof lining coming down (3.1 (a) (i))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front front indicator lamps has water in them both

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced door shut (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin both (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

slight stone chips

Fail 14 Oct 2020 106,485 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both (3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner sill holed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced inner sill holed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced floor holed (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Battery insecure but not likely to fall from carrier (4.13 (a) (i))

Driver's view to the front outside the swept area of the windscreen wipers restricted by an obstruction roof lining coming down (3.1 (a) (i))

Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front front indicator lamps has water in them both

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced door shut (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened both (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin both (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

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

slight stone chips

Pass 5 Jun 2019 106,081 miles

Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Front Coil spring corroded both (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Upper Driver's view to the front outside the swept area of the windscreen wipers restricted by an obstruction roof lining coming down (3.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front seat belt anchorage corroded in door inner

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

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

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

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

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

Rear Inner Brake pad(s) wearing thin 3/4 mm (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view slight chips (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 8 Jun 2018 105,462 miles

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive cill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive cill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Fail 4 Jun 2018 105,454 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose porous (1.1.12 (e))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Front Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive cill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive cill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly damaged (1.1.12 (b) (i))

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

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

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

Pass 30 May 2017 104,450 miles
Fail 23 May 2017 104,441 miles

Central Rear registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Front registration plate deteriorated (6.3.1d)

Offside 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)

Offside Front Steering system fouling (2.2.D.2a)

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

Pass 31 May 2016 103,349 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Rear tyre perished & close to limit

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

Pass 15 Jun 2015 100,852 miles

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

oil leak from engine

Fail 28 May 2015 100,370 miles

Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Vehicle structure is damaged, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

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

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 10 Jun 2014 96,156 miles

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

outer sills & floor corroded at front - both sides

Fail 4 Jun 2014 96,105 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

outer sills & floor corroded at front - both sides

Pass 31 May 2013 94,602 miles

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

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 1 Jun 2012 91,491 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

inner cv gaiter split

Fail 31 May 2012 91,491 miles

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

inner cv gaiter split

o/s front tyre worn on inner edge

Pass 1 Jun 2011 89,435 miles

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

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

engine is leaking coolant from several places

offside inner drive shaft gaiter split

rear exhaust silencer deteriorated

Fail 26 May 2011 89,351 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

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

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

engine is leaking coolant from several places

offside inner drive shaft gaiter split

rear exhaust silencer deteriorated

Pass 4 Jun 2010 86,711 miles
Fail 4 Jun 2010 86,710 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

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

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

Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

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

Offside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

front n/s tyre has slight egg on side wall

Pass 28 May 2009 82,188 miles
Fail 21 May 2009 82,096 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

n/s o/s front tyres worn on inside deges

rear number plate starting to delaminate

slight damage to front number plate

Pass 8 May 2008 74,999 miles
Fail 8 May 2008 74,999 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

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

Offside Rear Shock absorber has a slightly reduced damping effect (2.7.5)

Pass 30 Apr 2007 69,301 miles
Fail 30 Apr 2007 69,301 miles

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Fail 10 Apr 2006 57,815 miles

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 10 Apr 2006 57,815 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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

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.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

R145 ARJ is a 1998 Volkswagen Golf in Red with a 1,984cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

Across all 1998 Volkswagen Golf models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.1% with a typical mileage of 100,017 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 R145 ARJ, 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 28 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 R145 ARJ?

You can check the full history of R145 ARJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R145 ARJ registered?

R145 ARJ is a 1998 Volkswagen Golf, first registered on 5 February 1998.

Is R145 ARJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for R145 ARJ shows 36 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R145 ARJ 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 R145 ARJ. 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.