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Family hatchback · 1996–2021 cars

Volkswagen Golf reliability

The Volkswagen Golf fails 25.8% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 3,023,304 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 65/100#12 of 65 family hatchbacks

Checking a Volkswagen Golf before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
25.8%
first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
16% fewer
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
3,023,304
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
9,000
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Volkswagen Golf performs well on MOT tests. Its first-time fail rate is 25.8%, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 16% fewer MOT fails, and it ranks 12 of 65 family hatchback models. Cars from 2015 did best, with 36% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 1998 was the weakest year, with 12% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.

A good Golf is a solid buy, but check the individual car, not just the badge. The most common MOT failures are a fractured or broken coil spring (2.49% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.13%), a split or insecure CV joint boot (1.66%) and brake pads below 1.5mm (1.6%). Check the MOT history, then look closely at the springs, tyres, CV joint boots and brake pads.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Volkswagen Golf ages

Each point is the share of Volkswagen Golfs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%12.5%25%37.5%50%3691215182124Age at MOT (years)
Volkswagen GolfAll cars
Volkswagen Golf first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)Volkswagen GolfAll cars
39.7%12.3%
410.7%14.1%
512.1%16.4%
613.2%19.1%
715%22.1%
817.2%25.5%
920.4%28.8%
1024.5%31.8%
1130%34.6%
1233.6%37.3%
1335.9%39.5%
1437.8%41.1%
1540.5%42.3%
1642.3%42.9%
1744.5%43.4%
1845.5%43.5%
1945.5%43.4%
2044.4%42.8%
2143.2%41.4%
2243.5%40.6%
2343%38.9%
2442.5%37.1%
2541%35.8%

By year

The best and worst Volkswagen Golf years

2015 cars come out best and 1998 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Volkswagen Golf MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
2021 Golf13,6789.3%25% fewer fails28,686
2020 Golf70,3608.5%33% fewer fails29,647
2019 Golf154,48410.5%25% fewer fails34,601
2018 Golf222,61711.5%27% fewer fails40,727
2017 Golf247,27212.6%31% fewer fails49,074
2016 Golf229,63813.7%36% fewer fails57,696
2015 Golf235,78415.8%36% fewer fails66,098
2014 Golf228,44818.8%34% fewer fails77,193
2013 Golf194,43521.9%30% fewer fails84,500
2012 Golf182,03329.1%16% fewer fails92,230
2011 Golf179,22432.9%12% fewer fails101,878
2010 Golf161,55835.6%11% fewer fails108,658
2009 Golf159,70035.7%14% fewer fails109,453
2008 Golf145,85739.1%10% fewer fails120,681
2007 Golf152,56341.2%6% fewer fails120,244
2006 Golf117,16144.7%0% fewer fails122,049
2005 Golf84,50045.5%1% more fails126,151
2004 Golf54,40348.9%9% more fails124,269
2003 Golf63,66143.4%3% fewer fails131,073
2002 Golf55,00143.7%1% fewer fails136,466
2001 Golf31,71944.1%2% more fails127,233
2000 Golf18,04043.7%5% more fails125,172
1999 Golf13,17843.6%10% more fails118,727
1998 Golf5,51542.4%12% more fails108,798
1997 Golf1,80137.3%0% more fails108,894
199667441.5%14% more fails111,096

Common problems

What fails most on a Volkswagen Golf

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Suspension9.1%13% below avg
  • Lights and electrics8.7%32% below avg
  • Tyres6.5%3% below avg
  • Brakes6.4%18% below avg
  • Body, chassis and structure3.8%10% below avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.5%6% below avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.4%32% below avg
  • Seat belts and airbags1.3%1% above avg
  • Steering0.9%60% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Coil spring fractured or broken 2.49% of tests

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  2. 2

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.13% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  3. 3

    CV joint boot split or insecure 1.66% of tests

    A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.

  4. 4

    Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.6% of tests

    Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

  5. 5

    Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.46% of tests

    Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.

  6. 6

    Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 1.45% of tests

    A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.

  7. 7

    Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.4% of tests

    A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.

  8. 8

    Position lamp not working 1.21% of tests

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volkswagen Golf's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit14.15%
  • Shock absorber light oil misting9.32%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored8.26%
  • Tyre slightly damaged or cracking7.73%
  • Brake pads wearing thin6.81%
  • Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.42%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Volkswagen Golf

  1. 1

    Coil spring fractured or broken

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  2. 2

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  3. 3

    CV joint boot split or insecure

    A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.

  4. 4

    Brake pads worn below 1.5mm

    Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

  5. 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. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical Volkswagen Golf covers about 9,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 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

  • Diesel50.9%
  • Petrol47.6%
  • Hybrid1.4%
  • Electric0.1%
  • LPG0%
  • Other0%

Most common colours

Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, White

Average engine size: 1.7 litres.

Compare

How the Volkswagen Golf compares with its rivals

Volkswagen Golf against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Audi A324.4%19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 1 Series23.1%19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Golf25.8%16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz A-Class20.6%9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Honda Civic32.6%4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Focus31.8%3% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Astra34.5%6% 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 Golf questions, answered

Is the Volkswagen Golf reliable?

On MOT results, the Volkswagen Golf is better than average: it fails 25.8% of first MOT tests, 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 12 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.

What fails most on a Volkswagen Golf MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Golf are coil spring fractured or broken (2.49% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.13% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (1.66% of tests). By area, suspension fails 9.1% of its tests.

Which Volkswagen Golf year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2015 cars do best (36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1998 cars do worst (12% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Volkswagen Golf do a year?

A typical Volkswagen Golf covers about 9,000 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 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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