Family hatchback · 2014–2021 cars
Volkswagen e-Golf reliability
The Volkswagen e-Golf fails 12.4% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 16,233 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volkswagen e-Golf before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 12.4%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 16,233
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 8,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volkswagen e-Golf ages
Each point is the share of Volkswagen e-Golfs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volkswagen e-Golf | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12.1% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 12.7% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 11.8% | 16.4% |
By year
The best and worst Volkswagen e-Golf years
2018 cars come out best and 2020 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 e-Golf | 5,078 | 11.7% | 3% fewer fails | 26,901 |
| 2019 e-Golf | 9,968 | 12.6% | 3% fewer fails | 30,175 |
| 2018 e-Golf | 1,153 | 13.4% | 7% fewer fails | 36,948 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volkswagen e-Golf
Its weak spot is tyres: 86% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres8.3%86% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.8%42% below avg
- Suspension1.5%47% above avg
- Lights and electrics1.3%56% below avg
- Brakes0.4%81% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.3%1% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.2%7% below avg
- Wheels0.1%21% below avg
- Steering0.1%69% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.76% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 2.21% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.17% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.05% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 5
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.74% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 6
Tyre tear from structural failure 0.51% of tests
A tear in the tyre's structure means it can fail suddenly, so it must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 7
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.47% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.43% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volkswagen e-Golf's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking12.2%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.31%
- Shock absorber light oil misting8.07%
- Child seat limits belt inspection2%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.7%
- Nail in tyre, monitor1.23%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volkswagen e-Golf
- 1
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 4
Shock absorber serious fluid leak
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Volkswagen e-Golf covers about 8,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Electric100%
- Petrol0%
- Diesel0%
Most common colours
Grey, White, Black, Blue, Silver
Average engine size: 1.6 litres.
Compare
How the Volkswagen e-Golf compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi S3 | 17.5% | 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Infiniti Q30 | 14.9% | 22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen e-Golf | 12.4% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Peugeot 306 | 43.7% | 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Matrix | 46.8% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Cruze | 39.2% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| DS4 | 29.4% | 45% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Volkswagen models.
Questions
Volkswagen e-Golf questions, answered
Is the Volkswagen e-Golf reliable?
On MOT results, the Volkswagen e-Golf is about average: it fails 12.4% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 26 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Volkswagen e-Golf MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen e-Golf are tyre ply or cords exposed (2.76% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (2.21% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.17% of tests). By area, tyres fails 8.3% of its tests.
Which Volkswagen e-Golf year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2018 cars do best (7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2020 cars do worst (3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volkswagen e-Golf do a year?
A typical Volkswagen e-Golf covers about 8,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Volkswagen e-Golf before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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