2005 Volkswagen Golf · 84,500 MOT tests
2005 Volkswagen Golf reliability
2005 Volkswagen Golfs fail 45.5% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 25 Golf years (84,500 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- 45.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 126,151
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 84,500
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: about average for its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 7% of tests fail here (117% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 59% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Volkswagen Golf
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics22.1%
- Suspension17.7%
- Brakes13.7%
- Body, chassis and structure12.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks10.8%
- Tyres8.2%
- Seat belts and airbags7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 6.24%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.87%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 4.14%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.87%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 3.71%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 3.59%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.28%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (13.8%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.76%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (10.25%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.97%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (6.6%)
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 2005 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
2005 Volkswagen Golfs fail 45.5% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 25 Golf years (84,500 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Volkswagen Golf MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (6.24% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.87% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (4.14% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Volkswagen Golf have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Volkswagen Golf shows 126,151 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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