2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate and common faults

51,195 MOT tests in 2024. 68.4% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time68.4%
Failed or needed repairs31.6%
Typical mileage at test98,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 51,195 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.2%
  2. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.9%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
    1,578 marked dangerous
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
    1,950 marked dangerous
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.4%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.1%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.0%
    1,412 marked dangerous
  8. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.0%
  9. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn1.8%
  10. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension17.0%
  2. Brakes12.9%
  3. Lights & electrics10.8%
  4. Tyres8.2%
  5. Body & chassis4.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.6%
  7. Emissions & leaks2.6%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.2%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.1%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.4%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak10.1%
  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 2012 Volkswagen Golf?

In 2024, 68.4% of 2012 Volkswagen Golf cars passed their MOT first time, across 51,195 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 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; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 Volkswagen Golf reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).