1997 Volkswagen Golf · 1,801 MOT tests
1997 Volkswagen Golf reliability
1997 Volkswagen Golfs fail 37.3% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 25 Golf years (1,801 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 1997 Volkswagen Golf?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- 37.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 0% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 108,894
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,801
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1997 against the years either side
- 1996 cars: 14% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1997 car does better)
- 1998 cars: 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1997 car does better)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 5.1% of tests fail here (41% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 10% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1997 Volkswagen Golf
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.1%
- Suspension14.9%
- Brakes14%
- Body, chassis and structure10%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.1%
- Seat belts and airbags5.1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 4.28%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Headlamp aim set too low 4.11%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 4.11%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Position lamp not working 3.55%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 3.33%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.28%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (19.99%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (14.83%) · Wheel bearing slight play (12.83%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (11.77%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (8.61%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.61%)
Other years
Every Volkswagen Golf year
The full picture: Volkswagen Golf reliability. Before you pay for any Volkswagen Golf, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1997 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
1997 Volkswagen Golfs fail 37.3% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 19 of 25 Golf years (1,801 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1997 Volkswagen Golf MOT?
Most often suspension mounting area seriously corroded (4.28% of tests), headlamp aim set too low (4.11% of tests), rigid brake pipe excessively corroded (4.11% of tests).
How many miles should a 1997 Volkswagen Golf have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1997 Volkswagen Golf shows 108,894 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
Check a 1997 Volkswagen Golf free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.