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S129 AFE

1998 Volkswagen Golf

Black Diesel 1896cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires19 Dec 2026
Tests36 (20 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

222,584 mi
Last recorded222,584 miles
Recorded on18 Dec 2025
Typical for 1998 Volkswagen Golf100,017 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS129 AFE
MakeVolkswagen
ModelGolf
Year1998
ColourBlack
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

20 pass 16 fail
Pass 18 Dec 2025 222,584 miles

Nearside Front sill corroded & holed but outside prescribed area

Offside Rear seat backrest very loose but secured upright

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

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

tailgate secured with bungee straps

Fail 18 Dec 2025 222,584 miles

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

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

Nearside Front sill corroded & holed but outside prescribed area

Offside Rear seat backrest very loose but secured upright

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

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

tailgate secured with bungee straps

Pass 20 Dec 2024 220,493 miles

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

centre mirror missing

nearside centre outer sill corroded and holed but not in a prescribed area

Fail 10 Dec 2024 220,493 miles

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

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle (1.2.1 (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))

Rear Brake disc worn, but not excessively (1.1.14 (a) (i))

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

centre mirror missing

nearside centre outer sill corroded and holed but not in a prescribed area

Pass 8 Dec 2023 217,895 miles
Fail 7 Dec 2023 217,895 miles

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

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength n/s/r outer sill excessively corroded (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Side repeater incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Pass 14 Dec 2022 215,536 miles

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

Fail 13 Dec 2022 215,536 miles

Hazard warning switch inoperative (4.4.2 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Driver's door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Pass 13 Dec 2021 213,789 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material o/s/r caliper brake pipe corroding/rusty (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive n/s/r/ outer sill/wheel arch corroding (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced o/s/f outer sill corroded but out of prescribed area (6.1.1 (c) (i))

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

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

Offside Rear o/s/r seat backrest hinge broken but locks in upright position

centre exhaust sleeve clamp corroding

Pass 23 Oct 2020 211,980 miles

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

Nearside Front wing corroded

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

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

Fail 19 Oct 2020 211,976 miles

Exhaust emissions exceed level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine (8.2.2.2 (b))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage insecurely attached (5.3.3 (a) (i))

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

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

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

Nearside Front wing corroded

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

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

Pass 18 Oct 2019 203,967 miles

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

offside front tyre worn on inner edge

Fail 17 Oct 2019 203,966 miles

Nearside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 225/45 17 94W (5.2.3 (d) (i))

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

Offside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Nail in tyre ()

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

offside front tyre worn on inner edge

Pass 19 Oct 2018 198,170 miles

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

Fail 15 Oct 2018 198,170 miles

Central Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective (7.1.2 (e))

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

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

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

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

Rear Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.6 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

Pass 11 Oct 2017 180,486 miles
Pass 9 Aug 2016 174,274 miles
Fail 9 Aug 2016 174,264 miles

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

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

Pass 8 Jul 2015 170,967 miles
Fail 2 Jul 2015 170,953 miles

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

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

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

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

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

nearside front sill excessively corroded in none prescribed area

Pass 2 Aug 2014 168,862 miles

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

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

Pass 15 Jan 2013 165,091 miles
Fail 11 Jan 2013 165,084 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1)

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

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 13 Jan 2012 162,122 miles

Advise nearside and offside rear shock absorbers upper dust shrouds insecure to units.

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

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

Fail 11 Jan 2012 162,117 miles

Nearside Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

Advise nearside and offside rear shock absorbers upper dust shrouds insecure to units.

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

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

Pass 6 Jan 2011 158,525 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

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

turbo noisy

under tray loose

Fail 4 Jan 2011 158,523 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Nearside Registration plate lamp insecure (1.1.C.1c)

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

Offside Front position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

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

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

Nearside Front coil spring incomplete (2.4.C.1a) DANGEROUS

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

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

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

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

turbo noisy

under tray loose

Pass 8 Jan 2010 147,174 miles

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

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

Fail 7 Jan 2010 147,173 miles

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

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

Offside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Rear Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

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

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

Pass 16 Jan 2009 132,185 miles
Fail 12 Jan 2009 132,167 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Nearside Front Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Rear Parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.D.3a)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.D.4)

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

Pass 1 Dec 2007 115,797 miles
Fail 30 Nov 2007 115,745 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Pass 27 Sep 2006 94,717 miles
Fail 21 Sep 2006 94,625 miles

Rear Bonded suspension unit bonding failed and part of unit is likely to become displaced (2.4.F.2)

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

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

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

both rear doors won't open

both rear tyres cracked on outer tread area

n/s/f and all rear seatbelts not checked due to child seats fitted

o/s/r tyre slightly out of shape on inner edge

reduced pad contact inner face front discs

Pass 22 Sep 2005 88,806 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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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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S129 AFE is a 1998 Volkswagen Golf in Black with a 1,896cc diesel 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 S129 AFE, 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 S129 AFE?

You can check the full history of S129 AFE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S129 AFE registered?

S129 AFE is a 1998 Volkswagen Golf, first registered on 20 October 1998.

Is S129 AFE safe to buy?

The MOT history for S129 AFE 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 S129 AFE 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 S129 AFE. 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.