2020 Volkswagen E-Golf — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2020 Volkswagen E-Golf passed 89.8% of its 8,746 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 9.3%, so the 2020 E-Golf sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 8.2% of all tests — 6.3 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, washers and shock absorbers — tread depth alone was recorded 185 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.9% in the 0-30k band and 18.2% in the 90-120k band, a 9.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 28.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.9% of tests failed in 2022 against 9.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.2% | 713 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.9% | 166 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 96 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.0% | 91 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.4% | 36 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 185 |
| 2 | Washers | 108 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 98 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 80 |
| 5 | Wipers | 62 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 20 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 28.4% | 2,482 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.6% | 663 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.1% | 448 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.8% | 242 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 216 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 40 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 4,943 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 3,451 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 318 | 12.6% |
| 90-120k | 33 | 18.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 245 | 6.9% |
| 2023 | 2,899 | 10.4% |
| 2024 | 2,791 | 10.6% |
| 2025 | 2,806 | 9.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 E-Golf
On a 2020 E-Golf, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (8.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (1.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2020 Volkswagen E-Golfs pass their MOT?
89.8% of the 8,746 2020 Volkswagen E-Golf MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen E-Golf?
Tyres, recorded in 8.2% of tests, followed by visibility (1.9%).
Does the 2020 E-Golf get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 18.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,746 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.