Comparison · family hatchbacks

Volkswagen Golf vs Hyundai i30: which is more reliable?

The Volkswagen Golf does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 92 for the Hyundai i30, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 978,502 real MOT tests in 2024.

Volkswagen Golf

106Above average

MOT tests875,152

Hyundai i30

92Below average

MOT tests103,350

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at test	Volkswagen Golf	Hyundai i30
3–5 years	104Above average	101About average
6–9 years	109Well above average	96Below average
10–14 years	109Well above average	88Well below average
15+ years	101About average	91Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Volkswagen Golf	Hyundai i30
2021	90.1%	85.4%
2020	91.0%	85.5%
2019	88.7%	87.3%
2018	87.0%	84.4%
2017	85.8%	80.2%
2016	85.0%	71.0%
2015	82.7%	68.8%
2014	79.4%	62.3%
2013	76.3%	57.8%
2012	68.4%	55.9%
2011	64.8%	54.3%
2010	62.4%	52.5%
2009	62.5%	53.7%
2008	59.7%	49.9%
2007	57.6%	50.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Volkswagen Golf	Hyundai i30
Lights & electrics	11.0	21.1
Brakes	9.9	21.1
Suspension	11.3	11.3
Tyres	7.5	8.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	3.4	5.5
Steering	1.0	6.2
Body & chassis	4.2	2.1
Emissions & leaks	4.2	2.1

Volkswagen Golf: top failures

Coil spring: fractured or broken2.4%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.5%
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%

Hyundai i30: top failures

Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.9%
Stop lamp: not working4.4%
Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.8%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Volkswagen Golf or the Hyundai i30?

The Volkswagen Golf does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 92 for the Hyundai i30, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Volkswagen Golf and Hyundai i30 can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The Volkswagen Golf had the higher pass rate in 15 of them and the Hyundai i30 in 0.

What fails most on each?

Volkswagen Golf: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Hyundai i30: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; stop lamp: not working.