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A3 JOE

1996 Volkswagen Golf

Grey Petrol 1984cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires22 Nov 2026
Tests29 (21 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate72.4%

Mileage

149,878 mi
Last recorded149,878 miles
Recorded on14 Nov 2025
Typical for 1996 Volkswagen Golf106,352 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

RegistrationA3 JOE
MakeVolkswagen
ModelGolf
Year1996
ColourGrey
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

21 pass 8 fail
Pass 14 Nov 2025 149,878 miles
Pass 18 Nov 2024 141,549 miles

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 8 Nov 2024 141,540 miles

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 23 Nov 2023 130,259 miles

Nearside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 15 Nov 2023 130,252 miles

Nearside Front Floor excessively deteriorated Floor corroded away can see the carpet (6.2.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system Pipe just above rear axle (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

Offside Rear Axle swivel pins and bushes swivel pin and/or bush slightly worn (5.1.2 (b) (i))

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

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

Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Pass 9 Nov 2022 121,492 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material x2 (1.1.11 (c))

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

Fail 8 Nov 2022 121,492 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material x2 (1.1.11 (c))

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

Pass 19 Nov 2021 117,558 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material brake pipes coated in undersill (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()

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

engine covers fitted

front and rear wheel arch covers fitted

o/s and n/s outer sill covers fitted

o/s and n/s/f brake back-plates deterating

under-neath of vehicle coated in undersill

under-shield covers fitted

Pass 20 Nov 2020 114,694 miles

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

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

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

Rear wiper n/w

o/s and n/s outer sill covers fitted

under-shield covers fitted

underneath of veh and brake pipes coated in undersill

Fail 20 Nov 2020 114,689 miles

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

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (4.4.3 (a))

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

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

Rear wiper n/w

o/s and n/s outer sill covers fitted

under-shield covers fitted

underneath of veh and brake pipes coated in undersill

Pass 21 Nov 2019 110,666 miles

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

Coolant leak engine ()

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

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

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

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

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

cover sills fitted not allowing full inspection

Fail 15 Nov 2019 110,496 miles

Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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 Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength wheel arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Position lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp both sides (4.2.3 (c))

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

Coolant leak engine ()

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

cover sills fitted not allowing full inspection

Pass 9 Nov 2018 108,363 miles

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play O/S + N/S (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 24 Oct 2017 106,663 miles

Nearside and offside front inner sills Corroded slightly

Rear brake and fuel pipes slightly corroded

Slight engine oil leak

Slight play nearside and offside front upper shock mounts

Slight play nearside rear wheel bearing

Pass 21 Nov 2016 105,790 miles
Fail 17 Nov 2016 105,769 miles

Offside Front Macpherson strut insecure (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 12 Nov 2015 104,813 miles
Pass 11 Nov 2014 103,500 miles
Pass 21 Nov 2013 101,769 miles
Pass 14 Nov 2012 99,971 miles

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

sill covers fitted.

Pass 16 Nov 2011 97,795 miles

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

slight engine oil leak

Fail 15 Nov 2011 97,794 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage severely distorted (2.4.G.1)

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

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

antiroll bar bushes perished

n/s/f tyre worn on outer edge

slight engine oil leak

Pass 16 Nov 2010 55,486 miles
Fail 16 Nov 2010 55,486 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 4 Nov 2009 92,318 miles

Sill covers fitted.

Pass 10 Nov 2008 89,374 miles
Pass 26 Oct 2007 85,151 miles

Plastic sill covers fitted.

Wheel nut caps fitted.

Pass 1 Nov 2006 81,864 miles

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

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

Steering pipes corroding.

Pass 24 Oct 2005 79,053 miles

Nearside 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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A3 JOE is a 1996 Volkswagen Golf in Grey with a 1,984cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 72.4%.

Across all 1996 Volkswagen Golf models, the average MOT pass rate is 65.1% with a typical mileage of 106,352 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

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 A3 JOE, 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 30 years old, this Volkswagen Golf is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A3 JOE?

You can check the full history of A3 JOE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A3 JOE registered?

A3 JOE is a 1996 Volkswagen Golf, first registered on 21 November 1996.

Is A3 JOE safe to buy?

The MOT history for A3 JOE shows 29 tests with a 72.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A3 JOE 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 A3 JOE. 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.