2019 Volkswagen Golf R-Line S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 502 MOT tests analysed for the 2019 Volkswagen Golf R-Line S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and visibility. Its pass rate of 91.4% was above the average for cars of a similar age (89.8%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.8% | 24 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.6% | 8 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.4% | 7 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 6 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 3 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 11 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 7 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 4 | Wipers | 4 |
| 5 | Washers | 4 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 3 |
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 | 22.5% | 113 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.1% | 81 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.6% | 48 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.2% | 26 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 8 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.8% | 4 |
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 | 135 | 7.4% |
| 30-60k | 268 | 9.0% |
| 60-90k | 82 | 8.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 129 | 10.8% |
| 2023 | 116 | 3.5% |
| 2024 | 126 | 7.9% |
| 2025 | 131 | 11.5% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Golf R-Line S-A
Before buying a 2019 Volkswagen Golf R-Line S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.8% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (4.8% 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.
- Brakes (1.6% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- 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 2019 Volkswagen Golf R-Line S-As pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 502 2019 Volkswagen Golf R-Line S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Volkswagen Golf R-Line S-A?
Tyres, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by brakes (1.6%).
Does the 2019 Golf R-Line S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.4% in the 0-30k band to 8.5% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 502 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.