Volkswagen Golf
MOT data from 1,410,963 tests in 2024. Pass rate: 83%. Average mileage at test: 93,793 miles.
Common failure reasons
| Reason | Count |
|---|---|
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 32,683 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 30,139 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 29,040 |
| a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 25,589 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 24,031 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 20,294 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 19,617 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 18,780 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 18,302 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 17,225 |
Pass rate by fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 723,696 | 81.5% |
| Petrol | 668,788 | 84.4% |
| Hybrid | 17,104 | 90.2% |
| Electric | 1,335 | 91% |
By registration year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 177 | 81.9% | |
| Top failures: a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, audible warning inoperative, emissions levels exceed default limits | |||
| 1983 | 610 | 84.4% | |
| Top failures: emissions levels exceed default limits, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | |||
| 1984 | 441 | 85.9% | |
| Top failures: a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | |||
| 1985 | 605 | 81.2% | |
| Top failures: the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | |||
| 1986 | 891 | 78.7% | |
| Top failures: the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | |||
| 1987 | 1,180 | 80.8% | |
| Top failures: emissions levels exceed default limits, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | |||
| 1988 | 1,665 | 78.4% | |
| Top failures: the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, emissions levels exceed default limits | |||
| 1989 | 2,992 | 80% | |
| Top failures: the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, emissions levels exceed default limits, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | |||
| 1990 | 4,212 | 77.4% | |
| Top failures: the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, emissions levels exceed default limits, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | |||
| 1991 | 4,212 | 80.9% | |
| Top failures: the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, emissions levels exceed default limits, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | |||
| 1992 | 1,511 | 78% | |
| Top failures: emissions levels exceed default limits, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | |||
| 1993 | 719 | 77.1% | |
| Top failures: body, cab or chassis excessively corroded at a mounting point, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle., the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | |||
| 1994 | 827 | 78% | |
| Top failures: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, exhaust system leaking or insecure, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | |||
| 1995 | 1,338 | 74.8% | |
| Top failures: the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | |||
| 1996 | 2,435 | 74.7% | |
| Top failures: the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | |||
| 1997 | 2,649 | 75.6% | |
| Top failures: the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | |||
| 1998 | 3,239 | 73.1% | |
| Top failures: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | |||
| 1999 | 6,825 | 71.5% | |
| Top failures: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | |||
| 2000 | 7,039 | 72.9% | |
| Top failures: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | |||
| 2001 | 12,913 | 73% | |
| Top failures: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | |||
| 2002 | 21,921 | 73.3% | |
| Top failures: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | |||
| 2003 | 25,591 | 73.8% | |
| Top failures: a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | |||
| 2004 | 22,178 | 69.3% | |
| Top failures: the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | |||
| 2005 | 36,403 | 72.5% | |
| Top failures: the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | |||
| 2006 | 53,221 | 72.7% | |
| Top failures: the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | |||
| 2007 | 69,808 | 74.4% | |
| Top failures: a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | |||
| 2008 | 65,437 | 75.2% | |
| Top failures: a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | |||
| 2009 | 78,343 | 77.3% | |
| Top failures: a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | |||
| 2010 | 81,694 | 77.1% | |
| Top failures: a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | |||
| 2011 | 91,232 | 78.6% | |
| Top failures: a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | |||
| 2012 | 92,086 | 80.3% | |
| Top failures: a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | |||
| 2013 | 91,420 | 85.6% | |
| Top failures: a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | |||
| 2014 | 106,756 | 87.1% | |
| Top failures: tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, a tyre seriously damaged | |||
| 2015 | 104,950 | 88.9% | |
| Top failures: tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | |||
| 2016 | 102,363 | 90.2% | |
| Top failures: a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre cords visible or damaged | |||
| 2017 | 109,107 | 90.9% | |
| Top failures: a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | |||
| 2018 | 102,336 | 92% | |
| Top failures: a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre cords visible or damaged | |||
| 2019 | 84,904 | 92.6% | |
| Top failures: a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | |||
| 2020 | 14,137 | 94.1% | |
| Top failures: a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | |||
| 2021 | 354 | 95.2% | |
| Top failures: number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, a tyre seriously damaged, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | |||
Mileage at test
25th percentile
102,753 mi
Median
149,379 mi
75th percentile
176,230 mi
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