2019 Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 86.9% of Volkswagen Golfs first used in 2019 passed their MOT first time, against 83.5% for all cars first used in 2019. Across 171,092 Golf first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Golfs first used in 2019 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2019 Volkswagen Golf MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Golfs first used in 2019 against all cars first used in 2019 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Golf figure was 3.4 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2019 Golf | All cars first used 2019 | Golf first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91.5% | 89.2% | 2,664 |
| 2022 | 90.3% | 87.8% | 58,736 |
| 2023 | 89.1% | 86.2% | 57,676 |
| 2024 | 88.6% | 84.9% | 56,984 |
| 2025 | 86.9% | 83.5% | 56,432 |
Common 2019 Volkswagen Golf MOT failures
Share of the 20,219 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 14.3% | 2,882 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 12.5% | 2,534 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 11.5% | 2,333 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 10.5% | 2,118 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 7.4% | 1,499 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Golf in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2019 Volkswagen Golf before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2019 Volkswagen Golf MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2019 Golfs, as a share of all 171,092 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 12.4% | 21,253 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 10.0% | 17,127 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 9.8% | 16,806 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 9.6% | 16,356 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 3.9% | 6,591 |
Questions about the 2019 Volkswagen Golf MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2019 Volkswagen Golf?
In 2025, 86.9% of Golfs first used in 2019 passed their MOT first time, against 83.5% for all cars first used in 2019. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2019 Golf most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 47.8% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (17.8%) and brakes (14.8%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (14.3%).
How often does a 2019 Volkswagen Golf fail its MOT?
In 2025, 13.1% of first tests on Golfs first used in 2019 did not pass first time: 10.7% failed, and a further 2.4% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 20,219 of 171,092 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2019 Volkswagen Golf MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 12.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (10.0%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (9.8%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (9.6%) and “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (3.9%).
Is a 2019 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 91.5% in 2021 to 86.9% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2019
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2019 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2019 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2019 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2019 Mercedes-Benz A-Class MOT statistics · 2019 MINI Hatch MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2019 Golf?
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