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B18 WDM

1996 Volkswagen Golf

Red Diesel 1896cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires23 May 2027
Tests50 (34 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate68%

Mileage

197,942 mi
Last recorded197,942 miles
Recorded on9 May 2026
Typical for 1996 Volkswagen Golf106,352 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationB18 WDM
MakeVolkswagen
ModelGolf
Year1996
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

34 pass 16 fail
Pass 9 May 2026 197,942 miles
Pass 31 Jul 2025 136,760 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement lower front suspension arm, inner and outer bushs worn/perishing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge wearing inner tread edge bald (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement lower front suspension arm, inner and outer bushs worn/perishing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 29 Jul 2025 136,759 miles

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

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 1 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

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

Offside Front Service brake lagging in operation (1.2.1 (d))

Offside Front Side repeater not working wing mirror repeater (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Headlamp levelling device inoperative lever sensor connecting bar missing (4.1.5 (a))

Offside Rear Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement lower front suspension arm, inner and outer bushs worn/perishing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge wearing inner tread edge bald (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement lower front suspension arm, inner and outer bushs worn/perishing (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 17 May 2025 192,825 miles

Nearside Front Outer Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge balding edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded Heavily corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

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

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

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

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

Pass 1 Aug 2024 122,659 miles
Pass 20 May 2024 188,886 miles

Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement front d/cup bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Fail 15 May 2024 188,845 miles

Nearside Steering rack has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel (steering rack fitted) steering rack inner joint excessive play (2.3 (a) (i))

Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement front d/cup bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

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

Pass 29 Jul 2023 116,606 miles
Pass 9 May 2023 183,480 miles

Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement front d/cup bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside 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) ()

Fail 9 May 2023 183,480 miles

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm both rear (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement front d/cup bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside 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) ()

Pass 2 Aug 2022 112,129 miles
Pass 11 May 2022 177,641 miles

Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both front d/cup bushes (5.3.4 (a) (i))

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 7 Aug 2021 107,132 miles
Pass 24 May 2021 167,852 miles

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

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

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 10 Jul 2020 103,818 miles
Pass 11 Jun 2020 164,571 miles

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

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

Fail 11 Jun 2020 164,571 miles

Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

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

Pass 12 Jun 2019 158,352 miles
Pass 18 Apr 2019 100,461 miles

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

all tyres cracking

both rear suspension arms corroded

Fail 15 Apr 2019 100,426 miles

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

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

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both front (3.4 (b) (ii))

Exhaust mounting defective front exhaust support bracket bolts missing (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

all tyres cracking

both rear suspension arms corroded

Pass 25 Jun 2018 154,239 miles

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

Fail 25 Jun 2018 154,239 miles

Central Exhaust system insecure (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Bumper insecure (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Bumper insecure (6.1.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

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

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

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

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

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

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

Pass 6 Apr 2018 96,420 miles

handbrake effort near limit

Fail 6 Apr 2018 96,420 miles

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

handbrake effort near limit

Pass 5 Jul 2017 150,323 miles

Nearside Front tyre worn on inner and outer edges

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit and worn on outer edge (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front tyre has damage to sidewall and worn on inner and outer edges

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit and worn on outer edge (4.1.E.1)

both front tyres are cracking

Fail 4 Jul 2017 150,322 miles

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

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

Nearside Front tyre worn on inner and outer edges

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit and worn on outer edge (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front tyre has damage to sidewall and worn on inner and outer edges

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit and worn on outer edge (4.1.E.1)

both front tyres are cracking

Pass 14 Apr 2017 89,127 miles
Pass 22 Jun 2016 146,552 miles

All four tyres are worn low (edges)

Fail 21 Jun 2016 146,551 miles

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

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

All four tyres are worn low (edges)

Pass 14 Apr 2016 78,550 miles
Fail 14 Apr 2016 78,550 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed inner wall split (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed inner wall split (4.1.D.1b)

Pass 7 Jul 2015 142,239 miles

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

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

offside headlamp has temp repair

Fail 2 Jul 2015 142,206 miles

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

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Obligatory mirror is incapable of being adjusted to provide an adequate view to the rear (8.1.2b)

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

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

Pass 8 Apr 2015 65,726 miles
Pass 9 Jun 2014 134,907 miles
Fail 6 Jun 2014 134,905 miles

Brake load sensing valve linkage seized (3.6.E.3)

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

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

Pass 11 Apr 2014 53,166 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 1 Jul 2013 133,807 miles
Fail 27 Jun 2013 133,801 miles

Nearside rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3) DANGEROUS

Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3) DANGEROUS

Pass 22 Apr 2013 41,461 miles
Pass 16 Feb 2012 132,193 miles
Pass 14 Feb 2011 129,450 miles
Fail 5 Feb 2011 129,450 miles

Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

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

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

Pass 24 Feb 2010 123,786 miles

Cable tie used as central exhaust mounting

Fail 16 Feb 2010 123,714 miles

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

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

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

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

Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image (1.2.4a)

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

Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

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

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

cable tie used as centre exhaust mounting

Pass 20 Feb 2009 115,947 miles

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

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

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

Pass 19 Feb 2008 111,307 miles
Pass 8 Feb 2007 99,579 miles
Fail 7 Feb 2007 99,530 miles

Centre Exhaust mounting missing (7.1.1b)

Nearside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

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

Offside Front Headlamp insecure (1.7.3)

Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

Suspension joint offside upper dust cover split/missing

Pass 20 Feb 2006 84,407 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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B18 WDM is a 1996 Volkswagen Golf in Red with a 1,896cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 50 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 68%.

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 B18 WDM, 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 B18 WDM?

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

What year was B18 WDM registered?

B18 WDM is a 1996 Volkswagen Golf, first registered on 30 December 1996.

Is B18 WDM safe to buy?

The MOT history for B18 WDM shows 50 tests with a 68% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B18 WDM 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 WDM. 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.