1999 · 25 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1999 Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate and common faults

2,568 MOT tests in 2024. 56.0% passed first time, compared with 63.3% for all cars the same age.

89Well below average
Passed first time56.0%
Failed or needed repairs44.0%
Typical mileage at test119,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,568 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.3%
  2. Position lamp: not working4.3%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.1%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.4%
  5. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.4%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.0%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.0%
  8. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.8%
  9. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.8%
  10. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics26.1%
  2. Brakes25.0%
  3. Suspension21.5%
  4. Emissions & leaks16.7%
  5. Body & chassis11.4%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.5%
  7. Tyres6.7%
  8. Steering6.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine19.9%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.9%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.0%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.0%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn12.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. 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 1999 Volkswagen Golf?

In 2024, 56.0% of 1999 Volkswagen Golf cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,568 tests. The average for all 25-year-old cars was 63.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1999 Volkswagen Golf?

The most common failure reasons were rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; position lamp: not working; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1999 Volkswagen Golf reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 89, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).