2008 Volkswagen Golf · 145,857 MOT tests
2008 Volkswagen Golf reliability
2008 Volkswagen Golfs fail 39.1% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 25 Golf years (145,857 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- 39.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Golfs: 25.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 10% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- 120,681
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 145,857
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2008 against the years either side
- 2007 cars: 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does better)
- 2009 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 9.5% of tests fail here (25% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 70% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2008 car carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
Common problems
What fails on a 2008 Volkswagen Golf
Fail rate by area
- Suspension16.5%
- Lights and electrics13.8%
- Brakes10.3%
- Body, chassis and structure9.5%
- Tyres8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.29%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.3%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 3.62%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.17%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Position lamp not working 2.84%
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 2.39%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.51%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (10.93%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.55%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.76%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (7.34%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.5%)
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 2008 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
2008 Volkswagen Golfs fail 39.1% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 25 Golf years (145,857 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2008 Volkswagen Golf MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (5.29% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.3% of tests), anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed (3.62% of tests).
How many miles should a 2008 Volkswagen Golf have done?
At its MOT aged about 15, a typical 2008 Volkswagen Golf shows 120,681 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2008 car?
A car first registered in 2008 carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
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