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S185 RLF

1998 Volkswagen Golf

Silver Petrol 1800cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires25 Sep 2026
Tests36 (20 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

132,725 mi
Last recorded132,725 miles
Recorded on9 Sep 2025
Typical for 1998 Volkswagen Golf100,017 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS185 RLF
MakeVolkswagen
ModelGolf
Year1998
ColourSilver
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,800cc

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 9 Sep 2025 132,725 miles

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

Fail 9 Sep 2025 132,724 miles

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

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

Pass 10 Sep 2024 129,587 miles

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

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

Pass 21 Sep 2023 126,853 miles

Exhaust corroding

Inner sills corroding

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

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

OS hand brake cable casing split

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Fail 19 Sep 2023 126,848 miles

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

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

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

Exhaust corroding

Inner sills corroding

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

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

OS hand brake cable casing split

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

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

Pass 13 Sep 2022 124,219 miles

inner sills corroded

non standard suspension

tyres running close to body work

Fail 13 Sep 2022 124,219 miles

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

inner sills corroded

non standard suspension

tyres running close to body work

Pass 31 Aug 2021 120,758 miles
Fail 31 Aug 2021 120,758 miles

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

Pass 8 Sep 2020 118,018 miles

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

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

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

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

Pass 2 Sep 2019 115,411 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower sill has visable body fill, unable to assess for corrosion.

Rear coil over springs fitted and become loose in there mounting when tested in the rasied position, but return into cups once vehicle has been lowered.

Vehicle fitted with coil over suspension.

Fail 2 Sep 2019 115,411 miles

Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

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

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

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

Offside Front Lower sill has visable body fill, unable to assess for corrosion.

Rear coil over springs fitted and become loose in there mounting when tested in the rasied position, but return into cups once vehicle has been lowered.

Vehicle fitted with coil over suspension.

Fail 29 Aug 2019 115,368 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush excessively worn top mount (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Outer 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 dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Offside Front Upper Macpherson strut pin or bush excessively worn top mount (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases centre join (6.1.2 (a))

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 Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Nearside poor repairs to outer sill/ inner sills

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

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside poor repairs to outer sill/ inner sills

Oil leak, but not excessive drive shaft oil seaks (8.4.1 (a) (i))

damage to chassis legs nearside and offside

Pass 28 Aug 2018 112,974 miles

handbrake high travel

rear tyres wearing on edges, perished ,sidewalls damaged

steel wheels fitted to front alloys to rear

Pass 15 Sep 2017 110,976 miles

both rear tyre side walls damaged

front wheels different size to rear

handbrake high travel

Fail 14 Sep 2017 110,956 miles

Battery insecure (1.9.1)

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

both rear tyre side walls damaged

front wheels different size to rear

handbrake high travel

Pass 6 Sep 2016 108,885 miles

inner & outer sills corroded

non standard suspension

Fail 31 Aug 2016 108,829 miles

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

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is inadequately repaired (5.2.6)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front Brake pipe seriously damaged (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

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

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

inner & outer sills corroded

non standard suspension

Pass 2 Sep 2015 106,897 miles

Nearside Rear brake slight bind

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

Offside Front tyre perished

damage to osf nsf outer sills

front tyres different size to rear

handbrake high travel

Fail 1 Sep 2015 106,894 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose seriously damaged (found during steering lock to lock check) (2.2.D.2b)

Nearside Rear brake slight bind

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

Offside Front tyre perished

damage to osf nsf outer sills

front tyres different size to rear

handbrake high travel

Pass 19 Sep 2014 104,371 miles

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

damage to both front outer sills

different size tyres fitted front to rear

rear brake pads appear low

Fail 19 Sep 2014 104,346 miles

Centre Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b) DANGEROUS

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

damage to front of both sill panels

different size tyres fitted front to rear

rear brake pads appear low

Pass 18 Sep 2013 101,590 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

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

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

both sills damaged

Fail 18 Sep 2013 101,590 miles

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

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

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

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

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

Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

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

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

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

both sills damaged

Pass 25 Sep 2012 97,418 miles

Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

damage to fronts of nearside and offside outer sills and floorpans

different size wheel and tyres fitted front to rear

signs of tyre contact on both front inner wheel arches but not at time of test

Pass 9 Sep 2011 94,301 miles

Nail in nearside front tyre

Nearside and offside front and rear outer sills damaged

Steel wheels fitted to front

Fail 9 Sep 2011 94,294 miles

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

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

Nail in nearside front tyre

Nearside and offside front and rear outer sills damaged

Steel wheels fitted to front

Pass 13 Sep 2010 91,138 miles

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

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

different size wheel and tyres front to rear , steel wheels on front

jacking damage to front and rear of both inner and outer sills

slight play in offside of steering rack

play in nearside of steering rack

Fail 10 Sep 2010 91,118 miles

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

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

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

Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

different size wheel and tyres front to rear , steel wheels on front

jacking damage to front and rear of both inner and outer sills

slight play in offside of steering rack

play in nearside of steering rack

Pass 9 Sep 2009 88,070 miles

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

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

Offside parking brake, could be better

Steel wheels fitted to front

Fail 8 Sep 2009 88,063 miles

Front Headlamps matched pair are not the same colour (1.7.6)

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

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

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

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

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

offside parking brake, could be better

steel wheels fitted to front

Pass 10 Sep 2008 80,689 miles
Fail 9 Sep 2008 80,676 miles

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Pass 30 Aug 2007 132,166 miles

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

jacking damage to nearside sill. † †pin hole in nearside inner driveshaft boot.

Pass 26 Sep 2006 126,867 miles
Fail 25 Sep 2006 126,856 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively chafed (3.6.B.4d)

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

Nearside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Nearside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Offside Front Brake hose excessively chafed (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Radius arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Offside Rear Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Offside Side repeater incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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)

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

o/s/f anti roll bar on bounce rubbing on drive shaft

slight play in top mounts front

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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S185 RLF is a 1998 Volkswagen Golf in Silver with a 1,800cc 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 S185 RLF, 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 S185 RLF?

You can check the full history of S185 RLF by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S185 RLF registered?

S185 RLF is a 1998 Volkswagen Golf, first registered on 24 November 1998.

Is S185 RLF safe to buy?

The MOT history for S185 RLF 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 S185 RLF 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 S185 RLF. 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.