Volkswagen Golf
Registered from 1990 to 2024.
About this model
The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across eight generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – including as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada, and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico (Mk1). The Golf is Volkswagen's bestseller and the third best-selling automobile of all time, with over 37 million units sold worldwide.
From the Wikipedia article Volkswagen Golf, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2011 1.6 diesel. 7,404 of 31,156 tests failed, 24%.
Better than 41% of 2011 cars. The typical one fails 22%, across 924 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 57% | 4,229 |
| Brakes | 30% | 2,228 |
| Lights and electrics | 27% | 2,012 |
| Tyres and wheels | 25% | 1,840 |
| Visibility | 10% | 735 |
| Body and structure | 10% | 734 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Suspension — 57% of its failures
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Brakes — 30% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
- Tyres and wheels — 25% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Lights and electrics — 27% of its failures
- A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Visibility — 10% of its failures
- Body and structure — 10% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 200k+ miles this one fails 26% of its inspections, about what an ordinary car of the same age does.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20–40k miles | 12% | 14% | 309 | |
| 40–60k miles | 17% | 18% | 1,429 | |
| 60–80k miles | 21% | 21% | 3,690 | |
| 80–100k miles | 23% | 24% | 6,103 | |
| 100–120k miles | 25% | 25% | 6,895 | |
| 120–140k miles | 25% | 26% | 5,567 | |
| 140–160k miles | 25% | 26% | 3,521 | |
| 160–180k miles | 27% | 27% | 2,005 | |
| 180–200k miles | 26% | 26% | 902 | |
| 200k+ miles | 26% | 26% | 687 |
31,108 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 100k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.5 petrol · 136 hp · 1385 kg · 2652 mm wheelbase · 5.7 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.5 petrol · 140 hp · 1351 kg · 2620 mm wheelbase · 5.7 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.5 petrol · 139 hp · 1411 kg · 2670 mm wheelbase · 6.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.5 petrol · 136 hp · 1410 kg · 2670 mm wheelbase · 6.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 1.4 petrol · 128 hp · 1301 kg · 2620 mm wheelbase · 5.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2.0 diesel · 160 hp · 1460 kg · 2622 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.6 diesel · 107 hp · 1378 kg · 2621 mm wheelbase · 3.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.6 diesel · 104 hp · 1374 kg · 2620 mm wheelbase · 3.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.6 diesel · 102 hp · 1372 kg · 2608 mm wheelbase · 4.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 1.6 diesel · 102 hp · 1386 kg · 2582 mm wheelbase · 4.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 1.6 diesel · 99 hp · 1387 kg · 2575 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 1.6 diesel · 1370 kg · 2575 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00188/24
The thermal protection between the brake force booster and the emissions control device in front of the coupling support with the brake fluid reservoir may not have been correctly fitted. The coupling support could melt, leading to a leak of brake fluid, which could ignite if it comes into contact with hot components. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00565/22
The amount of extinguishing sand in the fuse of the high-voltage system is not sufficient in the event of a short circuit to the high-voltage safety system. This may cause it to burst, increasing the risk of injuries. Furthermore, the blown fuse can interrupt electrical flow of current leading to a voltage drop inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00584/22
The engine covers installed on affected vehicles could detach from their fixings depending on the conditions of use (e.g. very sporty driving, or poor road surfaces) and their age. A loose engine cover could come into contact with the hot area of the exhaust gas turbocharger, increasing the risk of burns or fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicle.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00787/24
Cars initially used for internal purposes of Volkswagen AG might not have been correctly modified before they were sold to the general public. There is a possibility that certain safety systems of these cars are not correctly modified for street use. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00851/20
Volkswagen has been informed by its current supplier that driver-airbag gas generators from the original manufacturer Takata (‘NADI’ (non-azide driver inflator) generators) produced during 1997-1999 may be faulty. VW used these gas generators exclusively in vehicles with a wooden steering-wheel rim (at that time an equipment option). Internal investigations have shown that in the event of an accident the restraining effect of the deployed NADI driver airbag might not always be fully guaranteed. Compliance with the statutory requirements in force for protection by an airbag in the event of an accident is thus not ensured.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00923/24
The driver airbag's gas generator may be faulty, resulting in uncontrolled inflation and the release of metal fragments. This increases the risk of injuries to the occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01322/21
The luggage net may be incorrectly affixed.As a result, luggage could end up in the passenger compartment, causing injury to the occupants.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01809/23
The propellant can deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature variations. In the event of an accident in which the front airbag is deployed, this could result in fragments from the inflator housing coming loose and injuring the vehicle’s occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
9 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.