1998 Volkswagen Golf · 5,515 MOT tests
1998 Volkswagen Golf reliability
1998 Volkswagen Golfs fail 42.4% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 25 of 25 Golf years (5,515 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- 42.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 108,798
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 5,515
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: about average for its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- 1999 cars: 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 11% of tests fail here (44% above cars of the same age and mileage).
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Volkswagen Golf
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics17.4%
- Suspension16.1%
- Brakes14%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks11%
- Body, chassis and structure9.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.4%
- Tyres5.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 3.61%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.23%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 3.01%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.74%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle 2.59%
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
Stop lamp not working 2.36%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (14.51%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (12.93%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.2%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.63%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.47%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (7.67%)
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 1998 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
1998 Volkswagen Golfs fail 42.4% of first MOT tests, 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 25 of 25 Golf years (5,515 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Volkswagen Golf MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (3.61% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.23% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (3.01% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Volkswagen Golf have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Volkswagen Golf shows 108,798 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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