2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate and common faults

12,318 MOT tests in 2024. 51.0% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

90Well below average
Passed first time51.0%
Failed or needed repairs49.0%
Typical mileage at test123,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 12,318 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction7.3%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.4%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.0%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.1%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.0%
    800 marked dangerous
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.6%
  7. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.5%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.5%
  9. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.5%
  10. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault3.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics33.0%
  2. Brakes25.1%
  3. Suspension24.7%
  4. Emissions & leaks19.9%
  5. Body & chassis14.6%
  6. Tyres10.0%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.4%
  8. Seat belts & airbags7.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.5%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn16.0%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine14.5%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.5%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened10.7%

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: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. 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 2004 Volkswagen Golf?

In 2024, 51.0% of 2004 Volkswagen Golf cars passed their MOT first time, across 12,318 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Volkswagen Golf?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Volkswagen Golf reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 90, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).