2018 · 6 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2018 Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate and common faults

60,892 MOT tests in 2024. 87.0% passed first time, compared with 82.5% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time87.0%
Failed or needed repairs13.0%
Typical mileage at test47,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 60,892 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
    1,451 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
    1,170 marked dangerous
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%
    1,015 marked dangerous
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.0%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.7%
    532 marked dangerous
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.6%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.5%
    504 marked dangerous
  9. Headlamp aim: too low0.5%
  10. Coil spring: fractured or broken0.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres6.6%
  2. Lights & electrics2.9%
  3. Brakes2.2%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.0%
  5. Suspension1.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks0.7%
  7. Wheels0.2%
  8. Body & chassis0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.5%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak12.8%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick10.9%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.4%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5.6%

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: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. 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 2018 Volkswagen Golf?

In 2024, 87.0% of 2018 Volkswagen Golf cars passed their MOT first time, across 60,892 tests. The average for all 6-year-old cars was 82.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2018 Volkswagen Golf?

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2018 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).