2014 · 10 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2014 Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate and common faults

63,088 MOT tests in 2024. 79.4% passed first time, compared with 69.9% for all cars the same age.

114Well above average
Passed first time79.4%
Failed or needed repairs20.6%
Typical mileage at test83,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 63,088 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.4%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
    1,988 marked dangerous
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
    1,436 marked dangerous
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.5%
    1,339 marked dangerous
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.4%
  7. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding0.8%
  9. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.8%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres7.7%
  2. Suspension6.2%
  3. Brakes6.0%
  4. Lights & electrics5.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.5%
  6. Emissions & leaks2.5%
  7. Body & chassis0.7%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak17.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.3%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.1%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.5%

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: shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2013 GolfAll Golf years2015 Golf →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2014 Volkswagen Golf?

In 2024, 79.4% of 2014 Volkswagen Golf cars passed their MOT first time, across 63,088 tests. The average for all 10-year-old cars was 69.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2014 Volkswagen Golf?

The most common failure reasons were shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2014 Volkswagen Golf reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 114, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).