MOT fail rates by first-use year
1999 Volkswagen Golf MOT fail rate and common faults
How Volkswagen Golf cars first used in 1999 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2024, against all cars of the same age. From 10,223 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 25 years, tested in 2024
What stands out
- In 2024, at 25 years old, Volkswagen Golf cars first used in 1999 failed 43.5% of MOTs (2,697 tests), 7.2 points above the 36.3% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2024, as these cars went from 23 to 25 years old, the fail rate moved from 44.0% to 43.5%.
- Volkswagen Golf cars first used a year earlier, in 1998, failed 42.0% at the same age of 25 years (1,528 tests, in 2023).
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Volkswagen Golf at 25 years, is suspension arm bush worn, at 3.6 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 1.1).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 23 years | 44.0% | 4,168 | 39.6% | +4.4 pts |
| 2023 | 24 years | 44.0% | 3,358 | 37.8% | +6.2 pts |
| 2024 | 25 years | 43.5% | 2,697 | 36.3% | +7.2 pts |
Most common faults at 25 years
These figures cover all Volkswagen Golf MOTs at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=9,130). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Side/position light not working Wear | 4.9 | 3.4 |
| Suspension arm bush worn | 3.6 | 1.1 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 3.6 | 3.1 |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | 3.5 | 2.2 |
| Brake light not working Wear | 3.0 | 2.6 |
| Handbrake too weak | 2.9 | 2.3 |
| Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits | 2.8 | 1.7 |
| Coil spring broken | 2.7 | 1.2 |
| Airbag (SRS) warning light on | 2.7 | 0.9 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 2.6 | 4.2 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=9,130). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 18.7 | 14.9 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 17.4 | 14.1 |
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 15.3 | 10.1 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 12.6 | 8.6 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 10.0 | 6.4 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 10.0 | 9.1 |
| Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement | 9.9 | 4.9 |
| Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | 8.3 | 3.3 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Wear | 8.0 | 5.6 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | 7.9 | 5.3 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=9,130). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 25 years
These figures cover all Volkswagen Golf MOTs at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=9,130). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 83.1% | 41.0% | 7,586 | 35.2% | 111,278 miles |
| Diesel | 16.9% | 44.9% | 1,543 | 39.3% | 157,278 miles |
Fail rate by mileage at 25 years
These figures cover all Volkswagen Golf MOTs at 25 years: cars first used 1997 to 2000, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=9,130). At 25 years, Volkswagen Golf cars at over 150,000 miles failed more often (45.3%, n=2,389) than those at 60,000 to 90,000 miles (36.8%, n=1,703). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Mileage at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60,000 to 90,000 miles | 36.8% | 1,703 | 35.4% |
| 90,000 to 120,000 miles | 42.8% | 2,249 | 38.4% |
| 120,000 to 150,000 miles | 45.1% | 1,962 | 40.2% |
| Over 150,000 miles | 45.3% | 2,389 | 42.3% |
Car tax rules for a 1999 car
- Cars first registered before 1 March 2001 are taxed by engine size: one annual rate for engines up to 1,549cc and a higher rate above that.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Petrol cars first registered before 2001 usually do not meet Euro 4, so they usually pay the ULEZ daily charge.
- Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 1999 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
- The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Volkswagen Golf
Other Volkswagen models first used in 1999
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Polo (1999) | 24 years in 2023 | 39.0% | 1,202 | 37.8% |
More on the Volkswagen Golf
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 1999 Volkswagen Golf cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.