2000 · 24 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2000 Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate and common faults

4,208 MOT tests in 2024. 56.3% passed first time, compared with 61.5% for all cars the same age.

92Well below average
Passed first time56.3%
Failed or needed repairs43.7%
Typical mileage at test125,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 4,208 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.9%
  2. Position lamp: not working3.5%
  3. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.4%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.2%
    215 marked dangerous
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.1%
  6. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.0%
  7. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.9%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.7%
  9. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.7%
  10. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.6%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics26.4%
  2. Brakes22.0%
  3. Suspension21.7%
  4. Emissions & leaks16.4%
  5. Body & chassis11.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.6%
  7. Steering7.4%
  8. Tyres6.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine19.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.2%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded17.1%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.3%
  5. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)13.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2000 Volkswagen Golf?

In 2024, 56.3% of 2000 Volkswagen Golf cars passed their MOT first time, across 4,208 tests. The average for all 24-year-old cars was 61.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2000 Volkswagen Golf?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; position lamp: not working; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2000 Volkswagen Golf reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 92, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).