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R538 FGR

1998 Volkswagen Golf

Black Petrol 1984cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires6 Aug 2026
Tests24 (15 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate62.5%

Mileage

146,724 mi
Last recorded146,724 miles
Recorded on7 Aug 2025
Typical for 1998 Volkswagen Golf100,017 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationR538 FGR
MakeVolkswagen
ModelGolf
Year1998
ColourBlack
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

15 pass 9 fail
Pass 7 Aug 2025 146,724 miles

Nearside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

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 3 Jul 2025 146,548 miles

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))

Nearside Front Side repeater not working indicator on wing not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake cable insecure (1.1.15 (c))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength corrosion within 300mm of axle mounting point n/s/r (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Power steering inoperative (2.1.5 (c) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

Pass 31 May 2024 122,437 miles

Lower Underside Undersealed

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

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

Pass 10 May 2022 121,362 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material All pipes @ rear coated (1.1.11 (c))

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

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

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

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

Pass 23 Oct 2018 120,739 miles

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

Nearside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

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

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

Pass 14 Aug 2017 119,354 miles
Fail 14 Aug 2017 119,354 miles

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

Pass 16 Aug 2016 118,214 miles
Pass 6 Jun 2014 113,935 miles
Pass 8 Apr 2013 109,355 miles
Fail 25 Mar 2013 108,925 miles

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) insecure (1.1.A.3a)

Offside Rear Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 22 Mar 2012 102,379 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

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

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Oil leak

Steering column shaft has slight end float (2.1.3)

front of both inner sills corroded and suspect outer sills corroded but covers fitted preventing full inspection

Fail 15 Mar 2012 102,282 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

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

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

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

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

Offside Front position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

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

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

Nearside Front coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Nearside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Oil leak

Steering column shaft has slight end float (2.1.3)

both nearside tyres cracking

front of both inner sills corroded and suspect outer sills corroded but covers fitted preventing full inspection

nearside rear tyre wearing on the inner edge

Pass 25 Mar 2011 93,725 miles

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

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Nail in offside rear tyre

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

nsr tyre inner sidewall slight cracking

osf brake disc back plate corroded/heatshield loose/outer sills covered plastic trims/both rear b/discs worn &corroded

Fail 25 Mar 2011 93,725 miles

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

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

Centre Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Nail in offside rear tyre

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1b)

osf brake disc back plate corroded/heatshield loose/outer sills covered plastic trims/both rear b/discs worn &corroded

Pass 29 Mar 2010 88,178 miles
Fail 22 Mar 2010 88,133 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

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

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

Pass 16 Mar 2009 80,180 miles

Nearside Front Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Fail 14 Mar 2009 80,180 miles

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

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

Nearside Front Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

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

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

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

Pass 10 Mar 2008 74,385 miles
Fail 8 Mar 2008 74,377 miles

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

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

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

Pass 3 Feb 2007 68,236 miles
Pass 31 Jan 2006 60,205 miles
Fail 24 Jan 2006 60,078 miles

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

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

Centre Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

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

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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R538 FGR is a 1998 Volkswagen Golf in Black with a 1,984cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 62.5%.

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 R538 FGR, 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 R538 FGR?

You can check the full history of R538 FGR by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R538 FGR registered?

R538 FGR is a 1998 Volkswagen Golf, first registered on 31 December 1998.

Is R538 FGR safe to buy?

The MOT history for R538 FGR shows 24 tests with a 62.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R538 FGR 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 R538 FGR. 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.