Volkswagen Golf: what fails at MOT
1.2 million MOT tests on the Volkswagen Golf in 2024, counted. 22.4% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
22.4% of Volkswagen Golf tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 27.2%, so the Golf does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (5.4% of tests), lights and electrics (4.8% of tests) and tyres (4.3% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 48,897 | 8.3% | 10.9% | 26,700 19,000 to 37,400 |
| 2020 | 61,649 | 8.2% | 11.5% | 30,400 21,800 to 41,000 |
| 2019 | 86,242 | 10.2% | 13.4% | 39,100 28,300 to 51,700 |
| 2018 | 96,909 | 11.4% | 15.6% | 48,400 36,100 to 63,300 |
| 2017 | 105,922 | 12.8% | 18.2% | 57,100 42,800 to 73,200 |
| 2016 | 97,631 | 13.6% | 21.3% | 65,900 49,700 to 83,500 |
| 2015 | 98,968 | 15.7% | 24.4% | 73,800 56,100 to 94,400 |
| 2014 | 97,655 | 18.6% | 27.7% | 84,400 64,200 to 106,900 |
| 2013 | 82,276 | 21.6% | 30.6% | 90,900 68,400 to 115,000 |
| 2012 | 75,314 | 29.5% | 33.4% | 98,000 73,500 to 124,000 |
| 2011 | 73,424 | 32.7% | 36.1% | 106,900 81,200 to 134,900 |
| 2010 | 64,533 | 35.5% | 38.6% | 114,500 88,000 to 141,200 |
| 2009 | 62,916 | 35.4% | 39.8% | 114,700 88,300 to 141,000 |
| 2008 | 51,958 | 38.1% | 41.5% | 124,700 98,000 to 151,600 |
| 2007 | 55,283 | 40.1% | 41.5% | 123,000 97,400 to 150,000 |
| 2006 | 42,244 | 43.1% | 42.4% | 124,600 97,800 to 151,400 |
| 2005 | 29,462 | 43.5% | 42.2% | 128,000 101,400 to 154,800 |
| 2004 | 17,713 | 48.0% | 42.3% | 124,100 95,100 to 154,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volkswagen Golf tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Golf | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 5.4% | 6.1% | |
| Lights and electrics | 4.8% | 7.5% | Less than most |
| Tyres | 4.3% | 4.3% | |
| Brakes | 3.9% | 4.5% | |
| Body and structure | 2.0% | 2.3% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.9% | 3.0% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.9% | 2.1% | |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.7% | 0.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre2.9%
- Headlamp aim1.7%
- Coil spring1.6%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Brake pads1.3%
- Headlamp1.1%
- Engine warning light1.1%
- Driveshaft joint1.1%
- Shock absorbers1.1%
- Footbrake1.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.6%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.2%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.1%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.1%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.1%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.0%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
- Footbrake: excessively binding0.8%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.0%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil7.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.1%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.3%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened2.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Volkswagen Golf's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.