2021 Volkswagen Golf Gti S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,106 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen Golf Gti S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 92.1% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.5% | 226 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 64 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.4% | 57 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.0% | 41 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 18 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 16 |
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 | 60 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 54 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 40 |
| 4 | Washers | 40 |
| 5 | Wipers | 25 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 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 | 19.3% | 792 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.0% | 330 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.4% | 180 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 101 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.2% | 92 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.6% | 64 |
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 | 2,193 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,769 | 9.2% |
| 60-90k | 139 | 10.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 113 | 4.4% |
| 2024 | 1,996 | 7.7% |
| 2025 | 1,997 | 8.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Golf Gti S-A
Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen Golf Gti S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.5% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.4% 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.
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 2021 Volkswagen Golf Gti S-As pass their MOT?
92.1% of the 4,106 2021 Volkswagen Golf Gti S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Golf Gti S-A?
Tyres, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.6%).
Does the 2021 Golf Gti S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 10.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,106 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.