2010 · 14 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2010 Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate and common faults

44,186 MOT tests in 2024. 62.4% passed first time, compared with 59.6% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time62.4%
Failed or needed repairs37.6%
Typical mileage at test113,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 44,186 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.8%
  2. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    2,030 marked dangerous
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.9%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.8%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.8%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
    1,399 marked dangerous
  8. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.5%
  9. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2.5%
  10. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.3%
    1,364 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension24.1%
  2. Brakes17.9%
  3. Lights & electrics16.3%
  4. Tyres8.5%
  5. Body & chassis5.2%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.4%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.2%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.8%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn12.9%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak12.8%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.7%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure9.0%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2010 Volkswagen Golf?

In 2024, 62.4% of 2010 Volkswagen Golf cars passed their MOT first time, across 44,186 tests. The average for all 14-year-old cars was 59.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2010 Volkswagen Golf?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2010 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).