2002 Volkswagen Golf · 55,001 MOT tests
2002 Volkswagen Golf reliability
2002 Volkswagen Golfs fail 43.7% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 25 Golf years (55,001 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- 43.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 136,466
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 55,001
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2002 against the years either side
- 2001 cars: about average for its age (the 2002 car does better)
- 2003 cars: 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 7.6% of tests fail here (45% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 26% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2002 car carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
Common problems
What fails on a 2002 Volkswagen Golf
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.3%
- Suspension15.6%
- Brakes13.7%
- Body, chassis and structure11.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.8%
- Steering7.6%
- Tyres6.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 5.23%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.34%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.9%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Stop lamp not working 3.65%
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.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.18%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.47%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (15.64%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (15.11%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (12.95%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (10.15%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (8.16%)
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 2002 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
2002 Volkswagen Golfs fail 43.7% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 25 Golf years (55,001 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2002 Volkswagen Golf MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (5.23% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (4.34% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.9% of tests).
How many miles should a 2002 Volkswagen Golf have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2002 Volkswagen Golf shows 136,466 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2002 car?
A car first registered in 2002 carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
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