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MOT reliability

Volkswagen Golf life tdi

3,299 vehicles · 4,502 completed MOT tests analysed
90%
MOT pass rate

Based on 3,299 Volkswagen Golf life tdi vehicles and 4,502 completed MOT tests, the Volkswagen Golf life tdi has an overall 90% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 56,946 miles.

3,299
Vehicles
4,502
MOT tests
12,123
Avg miles / year
1
Faults per test
5%
Dangerous-fault share

Volkswagen Golf life tdi problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Volkswagen Golf life tdi MOT tests:

  • Tyres, wheels & suspension64%
  • Brakes15%
  • Other12%
  • Visibility5%
  • Lamps & electrical2%
  • Emissions & nuisance2%
  • Identification & plates1%
  • Seatbelts & equipment1%

Volkswagen Golf life tdi pass rate by age

How the Volkswagen Golf life tdi's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)TestsPass rate
1475%
26292%
32,09789%
41,38790%
561887%
611388%

Fuel types: Diesel (3,297), Gas Bi-Fuel (2)

Most common Volkswagen Golf life tdi MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Volkswagen Golf life tdi MOT tests:

  1. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (244 times)
  2. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (236 times)
  3. Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) (196 times)
  4. Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b)) (185 times)
  5. Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) (183 times)
  6. Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) (162 times)
  7. Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b)) (126 times)
  8. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) (108 times)
  9. Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b)) (104 times)
  10. Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b)) (100 times)
  11. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (91 times)
  12. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)) (88 times)
  13. Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i)) (51 times)
  14. Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.2.2 (g)) (34 times)
  15. Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt (33 times)

Volkswagen Golf life tdi pass rate by registration year

YearVehiclesTestsPass rateAvg mileage
2025 1 1 100% 1,337
2024 1 1 100% 16,210
2023 144 158 92% 46,332
2022 763 1,288 89% 52,380
2021 603 1,636 89% 62,009
2020 346 1,198 89% 61,188

Volkswagen Golf life tdi reliability FAQ

Across 3,299 Volkswagen Golf life tdi vehicles in our MOT data, 90% pass the MOT (a 10% failure rate), with about 1 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Volkswagen Golf life tdi MOT issues are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)); Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e)); Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii)).

The typical Volkswagen Golf life tdi in our data has covered around 56,946 miles.

Compare the Volkswagen Golf life tdi

See how the Volkswagen Golf life tdi stacks up against other Volkswagen models on MOT reliability:

Golf life tdi vs Golf Golf life tdi vs Polo Golf life tdi vs Passat Golf life tdi vs Transporter

Check a specific Volkswagen Golf life tdi

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Volkswagen models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks