Volkswagen Golf MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 925,934 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Golf carried out in 2023. 26% failed at the first attempt, which is slightly below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 Golfs passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1982 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2013 models did best (77% passed, +8.9 points against the average for 10-year-old cars), while 1985 models fared worst (64%, −7.8 points). Tested cars had covered 84,670 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was suspension, found on 9.3% of tests (roughly in line with the 8.9% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 4.0% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 925,934
- First-time pass rate
- 74%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +2.3 points
- Average mileage at test
- 84,670
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Golf?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Golf MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,209 | 92% | 91% | +1.0 points | 24,821 |
| 2020 | 42,644 | 91% | 88% | +3.2 points | 24,919 |
| 2019 | 57,739 | 89% | 86% | +2.9 points | 33,170 |
| 2018 | 62,701 | 88% | 84% | +4.0 points | 42,381 |
| 2017 | 70,387 | 87% | 82% | +5.1 points | 50,589 |
| 2016 | 65,762 | 86% | 79% | +7.3 points | 59,366 |
| 2015 | 68,130 | 84% | 75% | +8.2 points | 68,204 |
| 2014 | 65,191 | 80% | 72% | +8.7 points | 79,129 |
| 2013 | 55,800 | 77% | 68% | +8.9 points | 86,493 |
| 2012 | 53,171 | 70% | 66% | +4.6 points | 94,931 |
| 2011 | 52,421 | 66% | 63% | +2.9 points | 104,461 |
| 2010 | 47,749 | 63% | 60% | +2.8 points | 109,922 |
| 2009 | 47,401 | 63% | 59% | +4.1 points | 110,416 |
| 2008 | 45,122 | 60% | 57% | +2.3 points | 122,147 |
| 2007 | 46,138 | 58% | 57% | +0.7 points | 122,117 |
| 2006 | 34,874 | 54% | 56% | −1.9 points | 123,191 |
| 2005 | 24,872 | 53% | 56% | −2.8 points | 127,133 |
| 2004 | 16,219 | 51% | 56% | −5.3 points | 126,451 |
| 2003 | 19,733 | 57% | 57% | −0.0 points | 136,182 |
| 2002 | 16,887 | 56% | 58% | −1.7 points | 139,775 |
| 2001 | 9,697 | 56% | 59% | −2.8 points | 130,446 |
| 2000 | 5,588 | 56% | 61% | −4.2 points | 128,391 |
| 1999 | 3,325 | 56% | 62% | −6.9 points | 123,433 |
| 1998 | 1,505 | 57% | 64% | −6.6 points | 115,328 |
| 1997 | 1,076 | 65% | 64% | +0.1 points | 111,756 |
| 1996 | 1,024 | 64% | 65% | −1.5 points | 113,610 |
| 1995 | 542 | 62% | 66% | −4.1 points | 109,551 |
| 1994 | 325 | 63% | 66% | −3.3 points | 103,669 |
| 1993 | 290 | 65% | 67% | −1.6 points | 103,355 |
| 1992 | 597 | 67% | 68% | −1.2 points | 123,273 |
| 1991 | 1,737 | 71% | 70% | +0.9 points | 134,009 |
| 1990 | 1,704 | 70% | 71% | −0.5 points | 128,689 |
| 1989 | 1,309 | 69% | 72% | −2.3 points | 124,832 |
| 1988 | 703 | 70% | 71% | −1.4 points | 126,488 |
| 1987 | 471 | 71% | 72% | −0.4 points | 121,438 |
| 1986 | 362 | 68% | 71% | −3.2 points | 109,119 |
| 1985 | 264 | 64% | 72% | −7.8 points | 106,548 |
| 1984 | 204 | 71% | 73% | −2.1 points | 108,138 |
| 1983 | 790 | 76% | 75% | +1.4 points | 122,941 |
| 1982 | 142 | 75% | 76% | −0.3 points | 107,361 |
Why the Volkswagen Golf fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Golf | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 9.3% | 8.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 8.8% | 11.3% |
| Tyres | 6.7% | 6.3% |
| Brakes | 6.4% | 6.8% |
| Body and structure | 3.8% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.5% | 3.1% |
| Visibility | 3.5% | 4.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.3% | 1.0% |
| Steering | 0.9% | 1.8% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working4.0%
- 2fractured or broken3.0%
- 3ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.7%
- 4tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
- 5constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.9%
- 6less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
- 7inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.8%
- 8has ply or cords exposed1.7%
- 9has a serious fluid leak1.5%
- 10excessively binding1.3%
Common Golf MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Golf, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 16.1% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 10.4% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 9.6% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 8.9% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.0% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 6.7% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.2% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 3.9% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 3.2% |
| excessively binding | Brakes | 2.7% |
Tips to help your Golf pass
Based on where Golfs most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 8.8% of Golf tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 6.4% of Golf tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the Golf ULEZ compliant? See the Volkswagen Golf ULEZ check, or view all Volkswagen models.
Other Volkswagen models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 925,934 first MOT tests of the Volkswagen Golf carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 925,934 first MOT tests of the Volkswagen Golf.
What is the Volkswagen Golf MOT failure rate?
In our data, 26% of 925,934 first MOT attempts on the Volkswagen Golf ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Volkswagen Golf fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were suspension (9.3% of tests), lights and electrics (8.8% of tests), tyres (6.7% of tests).
Which Golf year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2013 cars performed best: 77% passed first time, +8.9 points against the average for 10-year-old cars. The weakest was 1985, at 64% (−7.8 points).
How many miles had a typical Volkswagen Golf covered at its MOT?
The average was 84,670 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 24,821 miles and 1982 cars 107,361.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Volkswagen Golf?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 16.1% of tests, in the tyres area. 6.7% of Golfs failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Golf's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 925,934 Golfs in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 51% to 92% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
Check any Golf's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.