Volkswagen Golf common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Volkswagen Golf at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 913,792 UK MOT tests of the Volkswagen Golf in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is shock absorbers (light misting of oil): recorded on 8.1% of tests of 2017–2019 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 7.4× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak) (4.4×); linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (3.2×); non catalyst emissions (emissions carbon monoxide content excessive) (4.6×). The most common reasons a Volkswagen Golf fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Volkswagen Golf
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Volkswagen Golf than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 2017–2019 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 8.1% | 1.1% | 7.4× | 74,103 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 3.1% | 0.7% | 4.4× | 7,276 |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 4.8% | 1.5% | 3.2× | 28,435 |
| Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive | MOT fail | 1991–1993 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 5.1% | 1.1% | 4.6× | 393 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2009–2011 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4.2% | 1.8% | 2.3× | 20,689 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2011–2013 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 5.9% | 2.6% | 2.3× | 18,627 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2005–2007 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 6.8% | 3% | 2.3× | 15,631 |
| Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated | Advisory | 2003–2005 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 7.1% | 3.2% | 2.2× | 14,352 |
Volkswagen Golf by mileage (2017–2019 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 20,913 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (13%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 74,103 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (12%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (8.1%, 7.4×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 58,071 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (13%, 6.7×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 23,105 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (16%, 6.3×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 7,276 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (18%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (18%, 6×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 2,250 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (20%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (20%, 6.2×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 716 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (18%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (18%, 5.9×) |
Volkswagen Golf by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1,684 | Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.8×) |
| 1991 | 1,722 | Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3×) |
| 1992 | 590 | Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (4.6×) |
| 1995 | 514 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.5×) |
| 1996 | 1,019 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.6×) |
| 1997 | 1,059 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.2×) |
| 1998 | 1,498 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.7×) |
| 1999 | 3,317 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.5×) |
| 2000 | 5,568 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.4×) |
| 2001 | 9,630 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.1×) |
| 2002 | 16,831 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.1×) |
| 2003 | 19,685 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (1.9×) |
| 2004 | 16,132 | Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.7×) |
| 2005 | 24,622 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.4×) |
| 2006 | 34,612 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.4×) |
| 2007 | 46,057 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.3×) |
| 2008 | 45,090 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.4×) |
| 2009 | 47,358 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.8×) |
| 2010 | 47,721 | Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.5×) |
| 2011 | 52,384 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (3.3×) |
| 2012 | 53,144 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (4×) |
| 2013 | 55,784 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (4.7×) |
| 2014 | 65,170 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (5.4×) |
| 2015 | 68,118 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (5.3×) |
| 2016 | 65,750 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (5.9×) |
| 2017 | 70,381 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.9×) |
| 2018 | 62,387 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (7.4×) |
| 2019 | 54,093 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (6.8×) |
| 2020 | 40,024 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (6.2×) |
| 2021 | 1,201 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (5.3×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Volkswagen Golf?
In 913,792 UK MOT tests of the Volkswagen Golf in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is shock absorbers (light misting of oil): recorded on 8.1% of tests of 2017–2019 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 7.4× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak) (4.4×); linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (3.2×); non catalyst emissions (emissions carbon monoxide content excessive) (4.6×). The most common reasons a Volkswagen Golf fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm).
Why do Volkswagen Golfs fail the MOT?
Across 913,792 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Volkswagen Golf were coil spring (fractured or broken) (5.1% of tests); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (6.5% of tests); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (2.6% of tests).
At what mileage do Volkswagen Golf problems start?
The clearest Volkswagen Golf-specific issue, shock absorbers (light misting of oil), peaks against other cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) on 2017–2019 cars (8.1% of tests vs 1.1% for all cars that age).
Where does this Volkswagen Golf data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 913,792 tests of the Volkswagen Golf. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.