Volkswagen Golf vs Volkswagen Type 3 variant: 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 Type 3 variant
72%
MOT pass rate · 3 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Golf (75%) and Volkswagen Type 3 variant (72%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Head to head
| Measure | Volkswagen Golf | Volkswagen Type 3 variant |
|---|---|---|
| MOT pass rate | 75% ✓ | 72% |
| MOT failure rate | 25% ✓ | 28% |
| Faults & advisories per test | 2.0 ✓ | 2.3 |
| Dangerous-fault share | 2% | 0% ✓ |
| Average mileage | 117,668 mi | 47,343 mi |
| Sample size (vehicles) | 1,830,545 | 3 |
Most common faults
Volkswagen Golf
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
- Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
- Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
Volkswagen Type 3 variant
- Oil leak
- Horn not working (1.6.2a)
- Nearside Rear position lamp(s) slightly discoloured (1.1.A.3e)
- Offside Rear position lamp(s) slightly discoloured (1.1.A.3e)
- nearside and offside front seat frames worn
- Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)
Reliability FAQ
On MOT pass rate the Volkswagen Golf (75%) and Volkswagen Type 3 variant (72%) are very close — weigh the individual measures below, and remember condition depends on age, mileage and upkeep.
Full Volkswagen Golf report Full Volkswagen Type 3 variant 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.