2011 · 13 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2011 Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate and common faults

49,819 MOT tests in 2024. 64.8% passed first time, compared with 61.8% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time64.8%
Failed or needed repairs35.2%
Typical mileage at test107,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 49,819 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.8%
  2. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.4%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
    2,073 marked dangerous
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
    1,665 marked dangerous
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.4%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.3%
    1,584 marked dangerous
  8. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.1%
  9. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.1%
  10. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension20.6%
  2. Brakes16.0%
  3. Lights & electrics14.7%
  4. Tyres8.3%
  5. Body & chassis4.4%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.1%
  7. Emissions & leaks2.9%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.7%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak12.5%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.7%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2011 Volkswagen Golf?

In 2024, 64.8% of 2011 Volkswagen Golf cars passed their MOT first time, across 49,819 tests. The average for all 13-year-old cars was 61.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2011 Volkswagen Golf?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2011 Volkswagen Golf reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).