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Volkswagen Golf reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-present4 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC / ELECTRICITY
At a glance

Volkswagen Golf built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Golfs built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Volkswagen Golf by number plate

Key figure

13% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Golfs built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Golfs built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volkswagen Golf's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Golf's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Golf Mk8

Mk8 (2020-present)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESELHYBRID ELECTRIC

8.6% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 20,621 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Golf Mk7

Mk7 (2013-2019)

Excellent
PETROLDIESELHYBRID ELECTRICELECTRICITY

12.7% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 76,720 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Golf Mk6

Mk6 (2008-2012)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

25.8% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 69,615 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Golf Mk5

Mk5 (2004-2007)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

31.4% fail rate, built around 2007 (18 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.3%)

From 41,735 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volkswagen Golf.

See every build year for the Volkswagen Golf

Side-by-side

Volkswagen Golf generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk8 (2020-present)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings8.6%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 20,621 MOT tests at this age
Mk7 (2013-2019)
Excellent
Excellent12.7%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 76,720 MOT tests at this age
Mk6 (2008-2012)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings25.8%built around 2012 (13 years old)from 69,615 MOT tests at this age
Mk5 (2004-2007)
Average
Average31.4%built around 2007 (18 years old)from 41,735 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Golf, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Volkswagen Golf fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volkswagen Golf ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
29,4267.8%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
39,2108.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
48,03210.2%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
64,46911.8%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
76,72012.7%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
78,02313.4%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
78,31714.5%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
81,12016.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
74,98918.4%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
67,33522.1%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
69,61525.8%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
63,80627.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
58,40228.0%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
49,24329.1%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
49,95330.2%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
41,73531.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
28,21532.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
16,58633.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
16,31632.6%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
17,89931.4%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
12,91630.8%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
6,91930.4%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
18,56726.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 20 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Volkswagen Golf stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Volkswagen models

3rd of 16

3rd lowest fail rate of 16 Volkswagen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

Against other hatchbacks

10th of 84

10th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

Against the UK average

12.7%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Volkswagen Golfs

These issues come from 7-year-old Volkswagen Golfs, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    17.0%
    Advisory: 16,852Fail: 1,530 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    16.5%
    Advisory: 18,134Fail: 1,522 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.3%
    Advisory: 10,824Fail: 2,162 (17% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.8%
    Advisory: 8,905Fail: 1,123 (11% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    7.3%
    Advisory: 7,695Fail: 91 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 76,720 MOT tests on 7-year-old Volkswagen Golfs, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Volkswagen Golfs notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres34%
  2. Brakes + Tyres31%
  3. Brakes + Suspension24%
  4. Other + Tyres15%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 19,000 MOT tests on Volkswagen Golf cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

92%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · The same

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

51 recalls in all

40 of the 51 Volkswagen Golf recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 10 Critical
  • 30 more

Top concerns

  • Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
  • Starter motor may malfunction and overheat
  • Passenger airbag may not deploy as intended

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Golf on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Golf on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Fiat 500

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.9%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Golf on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    MG 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.1%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Golf on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    3,383 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Volkswagen Golf across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 3rd lowest fail rate of 16 Volkswagen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 76,720 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volkswagen Golf ever sold: 1,087,813 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 76,720 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.