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Volkswagen Golf vs Volkswagen So42: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Volkswagen Golf
75%
MOT pass rate · 1,830,545 vehicles
Volkswagen So42
86%
MOT pass rate · 2 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Golf (75%) and Volkswagen So42 (86%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Head to head

Measure Volkswagen Golf Volkswagen So42
MOT pass rate 75% 86% ✓
MOT failure rate 25% 14% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 2.0 1.1 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 2% 0% ✓
Average mileage 117,668 mi 82,397 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1,830,545 2

Most common faults

Volkswagen Golf

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  4. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  5. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  6. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Volkswagen So42

  1. nearside front hub has slight play in
  2. nearside rear bearing slight play
  3. offside front hub has slight play in
  4. offside rear bearing has slight play in
  5. Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)
  6. Nearside Rear position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Golf (75%) and Volkswagen So42 (86%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.

Full Volkswagen Golf report Full Volkswagen So42 report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.