Volkswagen Golf GTE — MOT pass rate & failures
The Volkswagen Golf GTE passed 91.2% of its 4,926 MOT tests, covering model years 2015–2024. That is 9.5 percentage points better than the 18.3% fail rate across all Volkswagen Golf versions, so the Golf GTE is a stronger pick within the range. Failures concentrate in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 91 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 11.3% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.0% of tests failed in 2023 against 8.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 828 | 91.4% | 8.6% |
| 2021 | 3,072 | 91.0% | 8.9% |
| 2022 | 923 | 92.0% | 8.0% |
| 2023 | 64 | 92.2% | 7.8% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.7% | 331 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 82 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.5% | 75 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.8% | 41 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.5% | 23 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 17 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 11 |
| 8 | Other defects | 0.2% | 9 |
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 | 91 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 75 |
| 3 | Wipers | 43 |
| 4 | Washers | 43 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 40 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 14 |
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 | 25.2% | 1,241 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.2% | 303 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.9% | 239 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 130 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.4% | 120 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.8% | 88 |
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 | 1,795 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 2,373 | 9.3% |
| 60-90k | 646 | 11.3% |
| 90-120k | 97 | 11.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 314 | 6.0% |
| 2024 | 1,868 | 9.5% |
| 2025 | 2,736 | 8.6% |
What to check before buying a Volkswagen Golf GTE
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (6.7% 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 (1.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.5% 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 reliable is the Volkswagen Golf GTE at MOT time?
91.2% of the 4,926 Volkswagen Golf GTE MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.8% fail rate, better than the 18.3% average across all Golf versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Volkswagen Golf GTE?
Tyres, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.7%).
Does the Golf GTE get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 11.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,926 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.