2006 · 18 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2006 Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate and common faults

28,606 MOT tests in 2024. 54.7% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

97Below average
Passed first time54.7%
Failed or needed repairs45.3%
Typical mileage at test123,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 28,606 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.0%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.1%
  3. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.5%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.0%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.7%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.5%
  7. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.3%
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.3%
    1,485 marked dangerous
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.1%
  10. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics30.7%
  2. Suspension24.4%
  3. Brakes21.7%
  4. Body & chassis14.9%
  5. Emissions & leaks11.3%
  6. Tyres9.1%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags5.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.7%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn16.3%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.8%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.8%

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: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. 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 2006 Volkswagen Golf?

In 2024, 54.7% of 2006 Volkswagen Golf cars passed their MOT first time, across 28,606 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 Volkswagen Golf?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2006 Volkswagen Golf reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 97, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).