2019 Volkswagen Golf S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 278 MOT tests analysed for the 2019 Volkswagen Golf S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 91.0% 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 | 4.7% | 13 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.9% | 8 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.5% | 7 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.8% | 5 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.1% | 3 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 1 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 6 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 5 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 5 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 2 |
| 5 | Attachment | 2 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 2 |
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 | 20.9% | 58 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 39 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.2% | 34 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.6% | 10 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.2% | 6 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 2 |
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 | 59 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 129 | 7.8% |
| 60-90k | 64 | 9.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 71 | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 68 | 5.9% |
| 2024 | 71 | 8.5% |
| 2025 | 68 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Golf S-A
Before buying a 2019 Volkswagen Golf S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.7% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (4.7% 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 (2.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (2.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
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 S-As pass their MOT?
91.0% of the 278 2019 Volkswagen Golf S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Volkswagen Golf S-A?
Tyres, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.9%).
Does the 2019 Golf S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 9.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 278 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.