Comparison · family hatchbacks

Volkswagen Golf vs Peugeot 308: which is more reliable?

The Volkswagen Golf does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 91 for the Peugeot 308, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 1,005,200 real MOT tests in 2024.

Volkswagen Golf

106Above average
MOT tests875,152

Peugeot 308

91Well below average
MOT tests130,048

By age

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

Age at testVolkswagen GolfPeugeot 308
3–5 years
104Above average
99About average
6–9 years
109Well above average
94Below average
10–14 years
109Well above average
89Well below average
15+ years
101About average
85Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearVolkswagen GolfPeugeot 308
202190.1%88.4%
202091.0%86.3%
201988.7%83.5%
201887.0%77.9%
201785.8%75.1%
201685.0%71.2%
201582.7%68.5%
201479.4%63.2%
201376.3%57.2%
201268.4%57.0%
201164.8%57.6%
201062.4%52.3%
200962.5%49.9%
200859.7%48.6%
200757.6%48.4%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaVolkswagen GolfPeugeot 308
Lights & electrics11.019.6
Suspension11.314.2
Brakes9.912.3
Tyres7.59.2
Body & chassis4.26.5
Emissions & leaks4.26.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.45.0
Steering1.03.5

Volkswagen Golf: top failures

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

Peugeot 308: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.2%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.2%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.0%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.4%
  6. Stop lamp: not working1.9%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Volkswagen Golf or the Peugeot 308?

The Volkswagen Golf does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 91 for the Peugeot 308, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Volkswagen Golf and Peugeot 308 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 Peugeot 308 in 0.

What fails most on each?

Volkswagen Golf: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Peugeot 308: coil spring: fractured or broken; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt.