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B18 DOW

1989 Volkswagen Golf

Blue Petrol 1781cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires14 Sep 2026
Tests25 (20 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate80%

Mileage

103,959 mi
Last recorded103,959 miles
Recorded on12 Sep 2025
Typical for 1989 Volkswagen Golf118,935 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationB18 DOW
MakeVolkswagen
ModelGolf
Year1989
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,781cc

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 5 fail
Pass 12 Sep 2025 103,959 miles
Fail 10 Sep 2025 103,951 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Pass 11 Sep 2024 102,781 miles
Pass 14 Sep 2023 102,447 miles
Pass 15 Sep 2022 102,061 miles

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

Nearside Side repeater insecure (4.4.1 (c) (i))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive slight leak from engine sump area and gearbox seals (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced requirements only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. 19% imbalance (1.2.1 (b) (i))

fuel pipes corroded

Pass 13 Sep 2021 101,563 miles

Exhaust mounting defective front pipe rubber badly cracked/perished . (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Oil leak, but not excessive sump pan area. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 13 Sep 2021 101,563 miles

Exhaust mounting defective front pipe rubber badly cracked/perished . (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Offside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Oil leak, but not excessive sump pan area. (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 21 Sep 2020 101,352 miles
Pass 26 Mar 2019 99,975 miles
Pass 10 Apr 2018 98,777 miles

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

sill covers fitted

vehicle undersealed

Pass 20 Mar 2017 98,234 miles
Pass 1 Apr 2016 97,946 miles
Pass 13 Apr 2015 97,398 miles
Pass 11 Apr 2014 97,102 miles
Pass 26 Mar 2013 92,171 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

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

Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside Front Anti-roll bar has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Pass 12 Apr 2012 92,122 miles
Pass 11 Apr 2011 92,044 miles
Pass 14 Apr 2010 91,856 miles
Pass 8 Apr 2009 91,753 miles
Pass 7 Apr 2008 91,654 miles
Fail 7 Apr 2008 91,654 miles

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 13 Apr 2007 91,490 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm slightly distorted (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 13 Apr 2007 91,490 miles

Nearside Side repeater not working (1.4.A.2c)

Offside Front Suspension arm slightly distorted (2.4.G.1)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Pass 13 Apr 2006 91,187 miles
Fail 11 Apr 2006 91,187 miles

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

Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play (2.5.A.3c)

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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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B18 DOW is a 1989 Volkswagen Golf in Blue with a 1,781cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 25 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 80%.

Across all 1989 Volkswagen Golf models, the average MOT pass rate is 64.3% with a typical mileage of 118,935 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 B18 DOW, 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 37 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 B18 DOW?

You can check the full history of B18 DOW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B18 DOW registered?

B18 DOW is a 1989 Volkswagen Golf, first registered on 7 September 1989.

Is B18 DOW safe to buy?

The MOT history for B18 DOW shows 25 tests with a 80% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B18 DOW 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 B18 DOW. 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.