2002 · 22 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2002 Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate and common faults

13,279 MOT tests in 2024. 56.8% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

98Below average
Passed first time56.8%
Failed or needed repairs43.3%
Typical mileage at test137,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 13,279 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.0%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.0%
  3. Position lamp: not working4.0%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.3%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
    640 marked dangerous
  6. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.9%
  7. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.6%
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.5%
  9. Stop lamp: not working2.5%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics26.3%
  2. Brakes22.1%
  3. Suspension19.8%
  4. Body & chassis14.5%
  5. Emissions & leaks12.5%
  6. Steering8.6%
  7. Tyres6.9%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine18.5%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.2%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.9%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.7%

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: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. 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 2002 Volkswagen Golf?

In 2024, 56.8% of 2002 Volkswagen Golf cars passed their MOT first time, across 13,279 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 Volkswagen Golf?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2002 Volkswagen Golf reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).