1999 Volkswagen Golf · 13,178 MOT tests
1999 Volkswagen Golf reliability
1999 Volkswagen Golfs fail 43.6% of first MOT tests, 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 24 of 25 Golf years (13,178 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- 43.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 10% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- 118,727
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 13,178
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1999 against the years either side
- 1998 cars: 12% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does better)
- 2000 cars: 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 5.5% of tests fail here (46% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 13% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1999 Volkswagen Golf
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics17.5%
- Suspension15.9%
- Brakes14.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks10.1%
- Body, chassis and structure9.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.1%
- Tyres6.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 4.04%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.08%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.04%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 2.96%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Stop lamp not working 2.76%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.63%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (13.74%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.19%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (11.12%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.18%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (8.72%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (8.37%)
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 1999 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
1999 Volkswagen Golfs fail 43.6% of first MOT tests, 10% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 24 of 25 Golf years (13,178 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1999 Volkswagen Golf MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (4.04% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (3.08% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.04% of tests).
How many miles should a 1999 Volkswagen Golf have done?
At its MOT aged about 24, a typical 1999 Volkswagen Golf shows 118,727 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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