2004 Volkswagen Golf · 54,403 MOT tests
2004 Volkswagen Golf reliability
2004 Volkswagen Golfs fail 48.9% of first MOT tests, 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 23 of 25 Golf years (54,403 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- 48.9%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 124,269
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 54,403
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- 2005 cars: about average for its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 6.9% of tests fail here (103% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Volkswagen Golf
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.7%
- Suspension18.8%
- Brakes14.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks14.3%
- Body, chassis and structure12.3%
- Tyres8.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 6.78%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.41%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.81%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.34%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Position lamp not working 4.01%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.8%
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 (19.29%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (13.61%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.49%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.36%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (8.41%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.99%)
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 2004 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
2004 Volkswagen Golfs fail 48.9% of first MOT tests, 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 23 of 25 Golf years (54,403 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Volkswagen Golf MOT?
Most often engine warning light inoperative or lit (6.78% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.41% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (4.81% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Volkswagen Golf have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Volkswagen Golf shows 124,269 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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