Volkswagen Golf Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Volkswagen Golf passes its MOT first time on 72.1% of tests, against 67.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. It beats 72% of cars on UK roads: level with the Toyota Auris, just ahead of the SEAT Leon, a little behind the Audi A3 and Škoda Octavia, and well ahead of the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.

Cars first registered from 2013 on (the seventh and eighth generations) beat about nine in ten cars. 2004–2008 cars are about average, and 2004 cars do worst of the 2000s, beating a little over four in ten.

Its lead is biggest in middle age: from 5 to 12 years old, a Golf passes about 5–9 points more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage, and is back to typical by about 18.

Steering and lights fail much less often than on a typical car. The one weak spot is ball joint dust covers, at about 1.9 times the typical rate (about 2.3 times on 2004–2008 cars).

Watch these weak spots

Ball joint dust covers1.9×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Volkswagen GolfTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 69%

Beats 47%

Beats 32%

Beats 40%

Beats 54%

Beats 46%

Beats 43%

Beats 49%

Beats 63%

Beats 56%

Beats 53%

Beats 32%

Beats 31%

Beats 42%

Beats 51%

Beats 34%

Beats 38%

Beats 46%

Beats 50%

Beats 57%

Beats 60%

Beats 44%

Beats 54%

Beats 55%

Beats 63%

Beats 68%

Beats 76%

Beats 70%

Beats 72%

Beats 78%

Beats 91%

Beats 93%

Beats 92%

Beats 91%

Beats 85%

Beats 81%

Beats 85%

Beats 90%

Beats 87%

Beats 94%

Beats 93%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	2004–2023	1,612,657	72.4%	Beats 77%	B
1.6 Diesel	2008–2020	1,555,731	75.1%	Beats 77%	B
1.4 Petrol	1995–2018	1,529,402	75.5%	Beats 75%	B
1.9 Diesel	1996–2012	860,140	55.0%	Beats 57%	C
2.0 Petrol	1995–2023	719,714	79.0%	Beats 87%	A
1.6 Petrol	1989–2012	580,799	56.0%	Beats 52%	C
1.5 Petrol	2017–2023	377,453	90.0%	Beats 91%	A
1.8 Petrol	1983–2003	136,143	61.6%	Beats 60%	B
1.2 Petrol	2010–2017	126,214	76.3%	Beats 79%	B
1.0 Petrol	2015–2022	95,608	85.1%	Beats 65%	B
1.4 Hybrid	2015–2022	70,186	85.6%	Beats 86%	A
3.2 Petrol	2003–2009	50,001	72.9%	Beats 96%	A
1.5 Hybrid	2020–2023	37,883	91.4%	Beats 92%	A
2.8 Petrol	1996–2003	19,070	60.9%	Beats 70%	B
2.3 Petrol	1999–2003	18,222	57.5%	Beats 63%	B
Electric	2018–2018	3,540	86.3%	Beats 72%	B
1.0 Hybrid	2021–2021	1,688	93.0%	Beats 98%	A
1.3 Petrol	1990–1990	1,059	65.8%	Beats 40%	C

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Exhaust: 3.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

9.9% vs 14.1%

Suspension

9.6% vs 11.0%

Tyres

6.8% vs 7.0%

Brakes

6.7% vs 8.5%

Visibility

4.2% vs 5.4%

Body & structure

4.1% vs 4.4%

Emissions & leaks

3.9% vs 3.9%

Seat belts & airbags

1.4% vs 1.4%

Steering

1.1% vs 2.4%

Wheels

0.4% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Ball joint dust covers
The Golf's weak spot, failing about 1.5 times as often as on a typical car, and about 1.9 times on 2004–2008 cars. Look behind the front wheels for split rubber boots on the suspension and steering joints.
Drive shaft (CV) joints
On 2004–2008 cars, CV joint boots fail about twice as often as on a typical car. Look for split boots and grease inside the front wheels, and listen for clicking on full lock.
Engine warning light
Fails about 1.4 times as often as on a typical car on 2004–2008 cars. It should go out once the engine starts; if it stays on, get the fault codes read.
Shock absorbers
About 2.4 times the typical rate on cars from 2013 on, though still only about 1 in 67 tests. Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle.
Coil springs
Fail on about 1 in 35 tests. Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil and listen for clunks over bumps.
Tyres
Tyre damage and tread depth are among the Golf's most common fails. Check every tyre for cuts, bulges and cracking, and for at least 3 mm of tread including the inner edge.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Volkswagen GolfTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Tyre damage & cracking	3.9%	3.7%	1.1×
Headlight aim	3.2%	3.9%	0.8×
Coil springs	2.9%	2.7%	1.1×
Tyre tread depth	2.7%	3.0%	0.9×
Headlight bulbs & units	2.0%	2.6%	0.8×
Drive shaft (CV) joints	2.0%	1.7%	1.2×
Brake pads	2.0%	2.2%	0.9×
Windscreen wipers	1.9%	2.5%	0.8×
Sidelights	1.7%	3.5%	0.5×
Shock absorbers	1.6%	1.2%	1.3×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	31.6
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	28.4
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements	27.0
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc	25.1
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	22.5
A tyre seriously damaged	21.0
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc	20.8
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction	18.4

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Volkswagen Golf4 engines91.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Petrol	4,690	92.4%	Beats 96%	A
1.5 Hybrid	2,394	92.2%	Beats 94%	A
2.0 Petrol	1,410	90.4%	Beats 69%	B
2.0 Diesel	1,211	89.6%	Beats 90%	A

2022 Volkswagen Golf6 engines91.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Petrol	22,850	92.2%	Beats 95%	A
1.5 Hybrid	7,753	92.9%	Beats 97%	A
2.0 Diesel	5,421	89.3%	Beats 89%	A
2.0 Petrol	3,718	91.9%	Beats 90%	A
1.4 Hybrid	3,200	90.9%	Beats 94%	A
1.0 Petrol	1,661	89.9%	Beats 76%	B

2021 Volkswagen Golf7 engines90.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Petrol	35,143	90.4%	Beats 90%	A
2.0 Petrol	13,560	90.4%	Beats 84%	A
2.0 Diesel	12,474	88.4%	Beats 85%	A
1.5 Hybrid	12,451	90.5%	Beats 87%	A
1.4 Hybrid	3,988	87.8%	Beats 78%	B
1.0 Petrol	2,552	89.5%	Beats 79%	B
1.0 Hybrid	1,688	93.0%	Beats 98%	A

2020 Volkswagen Golf7 engines90.3% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Petrol	89,597	90.6%	Beats 90%	A
1.5 Hybrid	15,285	91.2%	Beats 93%	A
2.0 Petrol	14,853	90.9%	Beats 93%	A
2.0 Diesel	14,745	88.9%	Beats 89%	A
1.6 Diesel	8,451	88.1%	Beats 86%	A
1.4 Hybrid	5,234	88.5%	Beats 85%	A
1.0 Petrol	3,174	89.7%	Beats 85%	A

2019 Volkswagen Golf5 engines88.4% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Petrol	103,883	90.3%	Beats 93%	A
2.0 Petrol	56,309	90.5%	Beats 95%	A
1.6 Diesel	46,373	83.8%	Beats 63%	B
1.0 Petrol	27,232	85.8%	Beats 62%	B
2.0 Diesel	25,274	87.0%	Beats 85%	A

2018 Volkswagen Golf8 engines86.7% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.5 Petrol	99,977	88.8%	Beats 89%	A
1.4 Petrol	58,032	86.4%	Beats 75%	B
2.0 Petrol	57,783	89.0%	Beats 93%	A
1.6 Diesel	49,378	82.8%	Beats 65%	B
2.0 Diesel	47,100	85.8%	Beats 86%	A
1.0 Petrol	30,414	84.0%	Beats 55%	C
1.4 Hybrid	18,438	85.7%	Beats 79%	B
Electric	3,540	86.3%	Beats 72%	B

2017 Volkswagen Golf8 engines86.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	161,073	87.1%	Beats 84%	A
2.0 Diesel	96,358	85.3%	Beats 88%	A
1.6 Diesel	87,436	82.8%	Beats 72%	B
2.0 Petrol	74,608	88.8%	Beats 96%	A
1.5 Petrol	21,313	87.5%	Beats 87%	A
1.0 Petrol	21,081	84.1%	Beats 66%	B
1.4 Hybrid	15,109	85.2%	Beats 83%	A
1.2 Petrol	2,294	86.7%	Beats 86%	A

2016 Volkswagen Golf7 engines85.5% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	152,074	87.4%	Beats 93%	A
2.0 Diesel	149,043	84.3%	Beats 90%	A
1.6 Diesel	116,177	83.6%	Beats 85%	A
2.0 Petrol	73,140	87.7%	Beats 96%	A
1.4 Hybrid	13,339	83.3%	Beats 85%	A
1.0 Petrol	7,982	85.3%	Beats 85%	A
1.2 Petrol	4,728	84.1%	Beats 80%	A

2015 Volkswagen Golf7 engines84.2% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel report →	180,810	81.9%	Beats 85%	A
1.4 Petrol	178,455	86.3%	Beats 94%	A
2.0 Diesel	150,292	83.2%	Beats 92%	A
2.0 Petrol	73,609	87.0%	Beats 97%	A
1.4 Hybrid	10,878	85.1%	Beats 95%	A
1.2 Petrol	10,844	84.5%	Beats 91%	A
1.0 Petrol	1,512	84.8%	Beats 87%	A

2014 Volkswagen Golf5 engines82.0% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	207,094	79.8%	Beats 88%	A
2.0 Diesel	169,483	81.4%	Beats 94%	A
1.4 Petrol	121,619	84.9%	Beats 95%	A
2.0 Petrol	54,378	85.1%	Beats 97%	A
1.2 Petrol	24,434	83.3%	Beats 94%	A

2013 Volkswagen Golf5 engines78.8% passA

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	204,513	76.7%	Beats 86%	A
2.0 Diesel	126,960	78.3%	Beats 92%	A
1.4 Petrol	117,833	81.9%	Beats 94%	A
1.2 Petrol	28,390	80.5%	Beats 93%	A
2.0 Petrol	16,602	83.1%	Beats 97%	A

2012 Volkswagen Golf7 engines72.8% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	207,280	70.5%	Beats 71%	B
2.0 Diesel	111,113	72.5%	Beats 81%	A
1.4 Petrol	100,516	76.6%	Beats 82%	A
1.2 Petrol	20,658	72.5%	Beats 69%	B
2.0 Petrol	17,440	80.8%	Beats 97%	A
1.9 Diesel	6,341	71.6%	Beats 78%	B
1.6 Petrol	1,946	73.4%	Beats 79%	B

2011 Volkswagen Golf7 engines68.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	212,912	67.3%	Beats 69%	B
1.4 Petrol	101,361	71.1%	Beats 71%	B
2.0 Diesel	95,127	69.2%	Beats 78%	B
1.2 Petrol	23,574	66.8%	Beats 58%	C
2.0 Petrol	14,079	78.3%	Beats 96%	A
1.9 Diesel	9,575	67.7%	Beats 71%	B
1.6 Petrol	2,171	70.8%	Beats 78%	B

2010 Volkswagen Golf7 engines66.0% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Diesel	173,625	64.3%	Beats 67%	B
1.4 Petrol	104,281	67.7%	Beats 68%	B
2.0 Diesel	103,127	65.7%	Beats 74%	B
2.0 Petrol	16,910	75.6%	Beats 96%	A
1.2 Petrol	11,292	64.6%	Beats 56%	C
1.9 Diesel	7,755	64.2%	Beats 67%	B
1.6 Petrol	1,742	66.4%	Beats 69%	B

2009 Volkswagen Golf7 engines65.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.4 Petrol	156,839	67.5%	Beats 77%	B
2.0 Diesel	130,426	64.1%	Beats 74%	B
1.6 Diesel	60,628	65.0%	Beats 74%	B
1.9 Diesel	31,366	62.0%	Beats 66%	B
1.6 Petrol	18,582	65.8%	Beats 72%	B
2.0 Petrol	16,950	74.3%	Beats 96%	A
3.2 Petrol	3,236	76.1%	Beats 97%	A

2008 Volkswagen Golf7 engines61.7% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	169,553	59.6%	Beats 64%	B
2.0 Diesel	95,520	60.4%	Beats 67%	B
1.4 Petrol	59,279	63.4%	Beats 68%	B
1.6 Petrol	47,309	63.1%	Beats 67%	B
2.0 Petrol	25,433	69.6%	Beats 91%	A
3.2 Petrol	10,542	74.1%	Beats 96%	A
1.6 Diesel	1,054	58.5%	Beats 59%	C

2007 Volkswagen Golf6 engines59.2% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	128,513	57.0%	Beats 59%	C
1.6 Petrol	111,494	60.3%	Beats 62%	B
2.0 Diesel	92,964	57.4%	Beats 61%	B
1.4 Petrol	50,827	57.1%	Beats 52%	C
2.0 Petrol	37,225	67.8%	Beats 88%	A
3.2 Petrol	10,258	72.3%	Beats 96%	A

2006 Volkswagen Golf6 engines55.2% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	89,900	52.5%	Beats 48%	C
1.6 Petrol	88,864	55.2%	Beats 48%	C
2.0 Diesel	76,033	53.0%	Beats 50%	C
1.4 Petrol	41,736	53.1%	Beats 43%	C
2.0 Petrol	35,589	63.4%	Beats 80%	B
3.2 Petrol	13,188	71.0%	Beats 95%	A

2005 Volkswagen Golf6 engines53.6% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	75,469	51.3%	Beats 48%	C
2.0 Diesel	67,295	51.2%	Beats 49%	C
1.6 Petrol	65,528	53.3%	Beats 46%	C
2.0 Petrol	39,953	62.4%	Beats 79%	B
1.4 Petrol	25,239	52.3%	Beats 44%	C
3.2 Petrol	1,990	71.5%	Beats 96%	A

2004 Volkswagen Golf6 engines50.0% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	63,635	50.1%	Beats 38%	D
1.9 Diesel	58,580	49.6%	Beats 47%	C
2.0 Diesel	42,691	49.3%	Beats 47%	C
1.4 Petrol	27,163	49.0%	Beats 37%	D
2.0 Petrol	9,147	52.8%	Beats 53%	C
3.2 Petrol	1,800	73.3%	Beats 98%	A

2003 Volkswagen Golf8 engines54.4% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	104,900	53.1%	Beats 59%	C
1.6 Petrol	53,824	54.4%	Beats 55%	C
1.4 Petrol	31,605	51.1%	Beats 44%	C
1.8 Petrol	10,323	58.9%	Beats 72%	B
3.2 Petrol	8,987	73.9%	Beats 98%	A
2.0 Petrol	7,866	52.1%	Beats 52%	C
2.3 Petrol	3,712	58.0%	Beats 66%	B
2.8 Petrol	3,393	60.1%	Beats 74%	B

2002 Volkswagen Golf7 engines53.5% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	103,405	52.9%	Beats 59%	C
1.6 Petrol	39,731	53.9%	Beats 52%	C
1.4 Petrol	18,831	51.3%	Beats 43%	C
1.8 Petrol	17,173	59.2%	Beats 72%	B
2.0 Petrol	14,396	50.3%	Beats 43%	C
2.3 Petrol	6,474	56.4%	Beats 62%	B
2.8 Petrol	3,710	60.0%	Beats 73%	B

2001 Volkswagen Golf7 engines52.5% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Diesel	41,502	51.3%	Beats 52%	C
1.6 Petrol	31,185	51.8%	Beats 42%	C
2.0 Petrol	16,145	51.5%	Beats 44%	C
1.8 Petrol	15,498	56.8%	Beats 64%	B
1.4 Petrol	10,199	49.7%	Beats 35%	D
2.8 Petrol	4,841	57.1%	Beats 63%	B
2.3 Petrol	4,785	59.1%	Beats 68%	B

2000 Volkswagen Golf7 engines52.6% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	21,716	52.1%	Beats 39%	D
1.9 Diesel	17,495	50.3%	Beats 46%	C
1.8 Petrol	13,122	56.7%	Beats 62%	B
2.0 Petrol	11,149	51.3%	Beats 41%	C
1.4 Petrol	5,607	50.1%	Beats 30%	D
2.8 Petrol	2,835	56.8%	Beats 61%	B
2.3 Petrol	2,075	57.5%	Beats 61%	B

1999 Volkswagen Golf6 engines52.3% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	16,510	51.9%	Beats 31%	D
1.8 Petrol	12,633	54.5%	Beats 50%	C
1.9 Diesel	8,880	50.2%	Beats 41%	C
2.0 Petrol	4,151	53.6%	Beats 43%	C
1.4 Petrol	2,935	49.4%	Beats 21%	D
2.3 Petrol	1,176	55.0%	Beats 46%	C

1998 Volkswagen Golf5 engines53.4% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.6 Petrol	8,691	53.4%	Beats 31%	D
1.9 Diesel	4,364	52.2%	Beats 42%	C
1.8 Petrol	3,293	53.8%	Beats 36%	D
2.0 Petrol	2,451	57.4%	Beats 45%	C
1.4 Petrol	1,546	50.6%	Beats 18%	E

1997 Volkswagen Golf5 engines60.1% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	4,889	58.5%	Beats 46%	C
2.8 Petrol	2,557	70.2%	Beats 86%	A
1.8 Petrol	1,993	56.8%	Beats 33%	D
1.6 Petrol	1,253	57.1%	Beats 33%	D
1.9 Diesel	1,124	53.2%	Beats 33%	D

1996 Volkswagen Golf5 engines58.8% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	4,230	58.9%	Beats 43%	C
1.8 Petrol	3,164	56.8%	Beats 28%	D
2.8 Petrol	1,734	67.6%	Beats 75%	B
1.9 Diesel	1,418	55.9%	Beats 42%	C
1.4 Petrol	1,322	54.9%	Beats 22%	D

1995 Volkswagen Golf3 engines58.4% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Petrol	1,741	59.3%	Beats 40%	C
1.8 Petrol	1,587	57.8%	Beats 26%	D
1.4 Petrol	1,030	57.5%	Beats 23%	D

1994 Volkswagen Golf1 engine60.4% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	1,340	60.4%	Beats 32%	D

1993 Volkswagen Golf1 engine65.1% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	2,201	65.1%	Beats 53%	C

1992 Volkswagen Golf1 engine65.7% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	4,840	65.7%	Beats 56%	C

1991 Volkswagen Golf2 engines68.1% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	11,865	69.2%	Beats 67%	B
1.6 Petrol	2,517	63.1%	Beats 36%	D

1990 Volkswagen Golf3 engines66.5% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	11,350	67.7%	Beats 56%	C
1.6 Petrol	2,483	61.5%	Beats 21%	D
1.3 Petrol	1,059	65.8%	Beats 40%	C

1989 Volkswagen Golf2 engines65.9% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	8,577	66.9%	Beats 49%	C
1.6 Petrol	1,618	60.9%	Beats 17%	E

1988 Volkswagen Golf1 engine66.3% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	4,749	66.3%	Beats 46%	C

1987 Volkswagen Golf1 engine68.1% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	3,283	68.1%	Beats 54%	C

1986 Volkswagen Golf1 engine66.6% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	2,161	66.6%	Beats 40%	C

1985 Volkswagen Golf1 engine65.7% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	1,305	65.7%	Beats 32%	D

1984 Volkswagen Golf1 engine68.4% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	1,177	68.4%	Beats 47%	C

1983 Volkswagen Golf1 engine74.2% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.8 Petrol	4,509	74.2%	Beats 69%	B

FAQ

What is the Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate?

72.1% of Volkswagen Golf MOT tests were passed first time, from 7.8 million tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 67.3%.

Is the Volkswagen Golf reliable?

On MOT results it is above average: it beats 72% of cars on UK roads, and cars from 2013 on beat about nine in ten. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volkswagen Golf years are best?

Cars first registered from 2013 on: they beat about nine in ten cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, and cars from 2020 on do just as well.

Which Volkswagen Golf years should I avoid?

2004 cars do worst of the 2000s, beating a little over four in ten cars. 2004–2008 cars overall are about average, and later cars do better.

Which Volkswagen Golf engine is best?

Of the most common engines, the 1.5 petrol (2017 on) does best, beating about nine in ten cars, and the 2.0 petrol beats more than eight in ten. The 1.9 diesel and 1.6 petrol, both from before 2013, are about average.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Golf?

Tyre damage, headlight aim, coil springs and tyre tread depth, all close to or below the rate for a typical car.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Volkswagen Golf reliability

Verdict

Watch these weak spots

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ