2003 Volkswagen Golf · 63,661 MOT tests
2003 Volkswagen Golf reliability
2003 Volkswagen Golfs fail 43.4% of first MOT tests, 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 25 Golf years (63,661 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- 43.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 3% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 131,073
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 63,661
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 7.9% of tests fail here (55% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 35% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Volkswagen Golf
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.9%
- Suspension13.9%
- Brakes13.8%
- Body, chassis and structure11.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.4%
- Steering7.9%
- Tyres6.3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 5.33%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 3.87%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.81%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 3.39%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.33%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 3.15%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (17.3%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.02%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (14.06%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (12.23%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (11.7%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (10.4%)
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 2003 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
2003 Volkswagen Golfs fail 43.4% of first MOT tests, 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 25 Golf years (63,661 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Volkswagen Golf MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (5.33% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.87% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (3.81% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Volkswagen Golf have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Volkswagen Golf shows 131,073 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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