Volkswagen Golf GTD — MOT pass rate & failures
5,620 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Golf GTD (2012–2024) give a 91.4% pass rate. That is 9.7 percentage points better than the 18.3% fail rate across all Volkswagen Golf versions, so the Golf GTD is a stronger pick within the range. Failures concentrate in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 114 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 19.2% once past 90-120k — 2.7× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 705 | 92.6% | 7.4% |
| 2021 | 3,639 | 91.4% | 8.6% |
| 2022 | 1,203 | 91.1% | 8.9% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.8% | 327 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.5% | 82 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 79 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.3% | 72 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 36 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 29 |
| 7 | Other defects | 0.5% | 26 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 20 |
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 | 114 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 89 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 78 |
| 4 | Wipers | 48 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 42 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 40 |
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 | 19.9% | 1,118 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.9% | 670 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.7% | 321 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.8% | 269 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 155 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 2.0% | 112 |
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 | 1,913 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 3,063 | 8.6% |
| 60-90k | 558 | 11.8% |
| 90-120k | 78 | 19.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 290 | 8.6% |
| 2024 | 2,141 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 3,174 | 8.5% |
What to check before buying a Volkswagen Golf GTD
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (5.8% 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 (1.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.4% 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 reliable is the Volkswagen Golf GTD at MOT time?
91.4% of the 5,620 Volkswagen Golf GTD MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate, better than the 18.3% average across all Golf versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Volkswagen Golf GTD?
Tyres, recorded in 5.8% of tests, followed by brakes (1.5%).
Does the Golf GTD get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 19.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,620 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.