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R97 VRB

1998 Volkswagen Golf

Red Diesel 1896cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires1 Oct 2025
Tests26 (16 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate61.5%

Mileage

6,946 mi
Last recorded6,946 miles
Recorded on2 Oct 2024
Typical for 1998 Volkswagen Golf100,017 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR97 VRB
MakeVolkswagen
ModelGolf
Year1998
ColourRed
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine1,896cc

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

16 pass 10 fail
Pass 2 Oct 2024 6,946 miles

Coil spring corroded all coils corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively both (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

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

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear trailing arm/ axle bushes deteriorated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all tyres (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 30 Sep 2024 6,945 miles

Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has negligible damping effect slight movement on absorber shaft (5.3.2 (d))

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Coil spring corroded all coils corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively both (1.2.1 (e))

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

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

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

Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both rear trailing arm/ axle bushes deteriorated (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing all tyres (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 6 Sep 2023 6,911 miles

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

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

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

Nearside Front brake flexi hose not properly secured

Nearside Front shock absorber has movement in damper shaft

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm/ axle bush in poor condition (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front shock absorber top mount has movement

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm / axle bush in poor condition (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Fail 29 Aug 2023 6,908 miles

Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective fuel cap rubber seal cracked (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength shock absorber top area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

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

Nearside Front brake flexi hose not properly secured

Nearside Front shock absorber has movement in damper shaft

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm/ axle bush in poor condition (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front shock absorber top mount has movement

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement trailing arm / axle bush in poor condition (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Pass 6 May 2022 6,278 miles

Coolant leak ()

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

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

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

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive strut top mount area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive strut top mount area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Fail 6 May 2022 6,278 miles

Fuel system component leaking injector (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Coolant leak ()

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

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

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

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive strut top mount area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive strut top mount area (5.3.6 (a) (i))

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

Pass 15 Mar 2021 6,273 miles

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

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Front plastic wheel arch trim loose

Nearside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt twisted (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

both rear brakes grinding

Fail 12 Mar 2021 6,279 miles

Battery insecure and likely to cause a short circuit (4.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

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

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

Nearside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Front plastic wheel arch trim loose

Nearside Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt twisted (2.1.3 (g) (i))

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

Offside Front Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

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

both rear brakes grinding

Pass 10 Sep 2019 6,269 miles

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

Fail 5 Sep 2019 6,269 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced chassis x2 (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken broken x2 (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play dust cover split too (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Rear reflector missing after market light units fitted with no reflectors (4.8.2 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front spring missing, all other shocks have 2 springs each

slight play o/s/front strut top mounting

Pass 16 Mar 2018 305,633 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn on inner edge

Nearside Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive Outer sill (5.2.6)

Offside Front Tyre worn on inner edge

Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.2.6)

Oil leak from engine

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

Pass 15 Apr 2017 283,267 miles
Pass 27 Apr 2015 285,478 miles

Coolant leak

o/s door handle stiff but operates ok

Pass 1 Mar 2014 277,702 miles

adv. cannot full inspect welding due to underseal.

Fail 25 Feb 2014 277,698 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

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

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 22 Sep 2012 274,784 miles

Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

adv. sils in poor condition

Fail 20 Sep 2012 274,782 miles

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

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

Offside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush (2.5.A.1c)

Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

adv. sils in poor condition

Pass 27 Aug 2011 271,587 miles

Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

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

Pass 17 Jun 2010 266,416 miles
Fail 14 Jun 2010 266,409 miles

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

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

Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Windscreen has damage to the swept area in excess of a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 9 Jun 2009 262,313 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

corrosion near nsf rear subframe mount

osr wheel arch corroded

Pass 21 Jul 2008
Fail 10 Jul 2008 249,428 miles

Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine (7.4.B.3b)

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

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

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

Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

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

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

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

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 9 Aug 2007 234,859 miles
Fail 9 Aug 2007 234,859 miles

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

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

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

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

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

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

rear axle bushes perishing

various brake pipes showing early signs of corrosion

Pass 4 Jul 2006 216,311 miles

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly 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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R97 VRB is a 1998 Volkswagen Golf in Red with a 1,896cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.5%.

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 R97 VRB, 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 R97 VRB?

You can check the full history of R97 VRB by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R97 VRB registered?

R97 VRB is a 1998 Volkswagen Golf, first registered on 23 January 1998.

Is R97 VRB safe to buy?

The MOT history for R97 VRB shows 26 tests with a 61.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R97 VRB 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 R97 VRB. 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.