Is the Volkswagen Golf ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 925,934 MOT tests, around 54% of Volkswagen Golfs still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 32% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 14%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 49% diesel, 48% petrol. Diesel Golfs are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Petrol Golfs are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 54%
- Likely charged
- 32%
- Depends on the car
- 14%
- MOT tests analysed
- 925,934
Check a specific Golf
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Golf ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Golfs of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid (petrol) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant209 tested | Likely compliant772 tested | Likely compliant222 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant6,304 tested | Likely compliant28,140 tested | Likely compliant5,582 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant15,235 tested | Likely compliant38,847 tested | Likely compliant5 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant16,454 tested | Likely compliant42,214 tested | Likely compliant3,130 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant26,810 tested | Likely compliant41,232 tested | Likely compliant2,259 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant33,688 tested | Likely compliant30,355 tested | Likely compliant1,690 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car37,042 tested | Likely compliant29,796 tested | Likely compliant1,238 tested |
| 2014 | Check exact car42,481 tested | Likely compliant22,677 tested | – |
| 2013 | Likely charged37,403 tested | Likely compliant18,396 tested | – |
| 2012 | Likely charged36,888 tested | Likely compliant16,282 tested | – |
| 2011 | Likely charged36,099 tested | Likely compliant16,322 tested | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged32,190 tested | Likely compliant15,559 tested | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged24,997 tested | Likely compliant22,403 tested | – |
| 2008 | Likely charged29,015 tested | Likely compliant16,105 tested | – |
| 2007 | Likely charged23,107 tested | Likely compliant23,030 tested | – |
| 2006 | Likely charged15,919 tested | Likely compliant18,954 tested | – |
| 2005 | Likely charged11,975 tested | Check Euro standard12,897 tested | – |
| 2004 | Likely charged7,656 tested | Check Euro standard8,562 tested | – |
| 2003 | Likely charged9,104 tested | Check Euro standard10,621 tested | – |
| 2002 | Likely charged8,485 tested | Check Euro standard8,400 tested | – |
| 2001 | Likely charged3,023 tested | Check Euro standard6,671 tested | – |
| 2000 | Likely charged1,217 tested | Likely charged4,370 tested | – |
| 1999 | Likely charged569 tested | Likely charged2,756 tested | – |
| 1998 | Likely charged271 tested | Likely charged1,233 tested | – |
| 1997 | Likely charged74 tested | Likely charged1,002 tested | – |
| 1996 | Likely charged108 tested | Likely charged916 tested | – |
| 1995 | Likely charged59 tested | Likely charged483 tested | – |
| 1994 | Likely charged24 tested | Likely charged301 tested | – |
| 1993 | Likely charged11 tested | Likely charged279 tested | – |
| 1992 | Likely charged11 tested | Likely charged586 tested | – |
| 1991 | Likely charged49 tested | Likely charged1,686 tested | – |
| 1990 | Likely charged36 tested | Likely charged1,668 tested | – |
| 1989 | Likely charged69 tested | Likely charged1,238 tested | – |
| 1988 | Likely charged41 tested | Likely charged662 tested | – |
| 1987 | Likely charged28 tested | Likely charged443 tested | – |
| 1986 | Likely charged14 tested | Likely charged348 tested | – |
| 1985 | Likely charged12 tested | Likely charged252 tested | – |
| 1984 | Likely charged1 tested | Likely charged203 tested | – |
| 1983 | Likely charged14 tested | Likely charged776 tested | – |
| 1982 | Likely charged3 tested | Likely charged139 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Golf
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (49% of Golfs tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (48% of Golfs tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Hybrid (petrol) (2% of Golfs tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
Golfs from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (14% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Volkswagen can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Golfs fare at the MOT too: see the Volkswagen Golf MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Volkswagen Golf for London: what the MOT data shows
The Volkswagen Golfs in this data were first registered between 1982 and 2021. 2017 was the most common year, with 70,387 tests (8% of the total), and half were registered in 2013 or later.
Golfs from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 80% of the time, at an average of 66,205 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 64% of the time with 111,283 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel Golfs likely to comply are from 2016. 33,688 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 86% of the time and averaged 59,366 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol Golfs likely to comply are from 2006. 18,954 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 54% of the time and averaged 123,191 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Golf's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (4.0% of tests); suspension: "fractured or broken" (3.0%) and "ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt" (2.7%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 16.1% of tests.
Overall, 74% of Golfs passed first time, slightly above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 84,670 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Volkswagen models
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.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 925,934 MOT tests say about the Volkswagen Golf and London's ULEZ.
Is the Volkswagen Golf ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 54% of Golfs on the road are likely compliant and 32% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol Golf years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol Golfs first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel Golf ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Golfs from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Golf is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
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Is your Golf ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.