2001 Volkswagen Golf · 31,719 MOT tests
2001 Volkswagen Golf reliability
2001 Volkswagen Golfs fail 44.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 21 of 25 Golf years (31,719 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- 44.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- 127,233
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 31,719
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2001 against the years either side
- 2000 cars: 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2001 car does better)
- 2002 cars: about average for its age (the 2001 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 11.2% of tests fail here (44% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 23% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2001 car carries a 51 plate (September–December 2001).
Common problems
What fails on a 2001 Volkswagen Golf
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics18.8%
- Suspension16.4%
- Brakes13.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks11.2%
- Body, chassis and structure10.2%
- Tyres6.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 5.18%
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 3.62%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.49%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Stop lamp not working 3.38%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.34%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 3.31%
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 (16.01%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.91%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (15.29%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (12.46%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (9.89%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (9.26%)
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 2001 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
2001 Volkswagen Golfs fail 44.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 21 of 25 Golf years (31,719 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2001 Volkswagen Golf MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (5.18% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.62% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (3.49% of tests).
How many miles should a 2001 Volkswagen Golf have done?
At its MOT aged about 21, a typical 2001 Volkswagen Golf shows 127,233 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2001 car?
A car first registered in 2001 carries a 51 plate (September–December 2001).
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