2008 · 16 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2008 Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate and common faults

38,552 MOT tests in 2024. 59.7% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time59.7%
Failed or needed repairs40.3%
Typical mileage at test124,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 38,552 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.6%
  2. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.3%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.2%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
    2,096 marked dangerous
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.1%
  6. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.9%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
    1,260 marked dangerous
  8. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.5%
  9. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.5%
    1,283 marked dangerous
  10. Position lamp: not working2.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension23.3%
  2. Lights & electrics18.9%
  3. Brakes17.8%
  4. Body & chassis12.0%
  5. Tyres9.5%
  6. Emissions & leaks8.3%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.3%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.0%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn14.2%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.6%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.9%
  5. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine8.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. 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.

← 2007 GolfAll Golf years2009 Golf →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Volkswagen Golf?

In 2024, 59.7% of 2008 Volkswagen Golf cars passed their MOT first time, across 38,552 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Volkswagen Golf?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2008 Volkswagen Golf reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).