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MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN GOLFs year 1971

Review the list of common VOLKSWAGEN GOLF failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your VOLKSWAGEN then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history
Pass percent:54.04%
(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN GOLF year 1971 passes without issue)
Based on:1,943 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment164
Registration plate lamp issues154
Brake pipe excessively corroded144
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively92
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|85
Brake hose excessively deteriorated75
Registration plate issues68
Horn not working |1.6.2a|53
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort50
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|38
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|33
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|32
Brakes imbalanced across an axle30
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|30
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|29
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|27
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|26
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|26
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|26
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment |2.5.A.1c|26
Emissions not tested |7.0|24
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment |2.5.A.1c|24
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|23
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|21
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault20
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|19
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|18
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|17
Windscreen has damage17
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|17
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|17
Rear brake binding17
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|17
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|16
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|16
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|16
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|15
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|15
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|15
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|15
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|15
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|14
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|14
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|14
Rear brake application uneven13
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|13
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|13
Battery insecure |1.9.1|12
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|12
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|12
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|12
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|11
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|11
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|11
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|11
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|10
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|10
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|10
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|10
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|10
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|10
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|10
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|9
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|9
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|9
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|9
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|9
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|9
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|9
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|8
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|8
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|8
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|8
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|8
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|7
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|7
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|7
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|7
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|7
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|7
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|6
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|6
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|6
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|6
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|6
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|6
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|6
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|6
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|6
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|6
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|6
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|6
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|6
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|6
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Offside Front coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|6
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.6.2b|5
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|5
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|5
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|5
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|5
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|5
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|5
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|5
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|5
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|5
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized |3.6.E.3|5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|5
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|5
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|5
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate |3.4.1b|5
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|5
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|5
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|5
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|5
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|5
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement |3.3.A.5|5
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|5
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|5
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|5
Nearside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|4
Offside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|4
Front brake application uneven4
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|4
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|4
Offside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|4
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|4
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|4
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|4
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|4
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|4
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not in good working order |function impaired| |1.1.4a|4
Steering rack insecure |2.2.B.1a|4
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|4
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|4
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|4
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Nearside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level |3.6.G.1b|4
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|4
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|4
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|4
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|4
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|4
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|4
Exhaust noise is clearly in excess of that emitted by a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer in average condition |7.1.4|4
Windscreen washer not working 3
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|3
Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|3
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|3
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|3
Exhaust emits visible black smoke at idle |7.3.A.2b|3
Brake hose damaged3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|3
Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|3
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|3
Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|3
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|3
Nearside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|3
Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|3
Nearside Front Upper Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment |2.5.A.1c|3
Offside Front Upper Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment |2.5.A.1c|3
Offside Rear All position lamps not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|3
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users |1.8.A.1a|3
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized |3.6.E.3|3
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|3
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements |1.4.2 |a| |i||3
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|3
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement3
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|3
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|3
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|3
Offside Front Wheel stud|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|3
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|3
Nearside Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|3
Offside Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|3
Offside front brake juddering severely |3.7.A.2b|3
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|3
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|3
Offside Side repeater insecure |1.4.A.2b|3
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|3
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|3
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure |3.3.B.1a|3
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement3
Nearside Front Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|3
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|3
Offside Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|3
Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|3
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|3
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush |2.4.G.2|3
Exhaust emits clearly visible black smoke during acceleration |7.3.A.2c|3
Windscreen wiper blade insecure3
Offside Front Shock absorber has an excessively worn shock absorber pivot |2.7.4|3
Power steering pump drive system defective |2.3.6|3
Brake servo vacuum pipe collapsed |3.6.C.1b|3
Fuel system component insecure |7.2.1|3
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|3
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault |5.4.2|3
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive |7.3.D.3|3
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |7.3.D.3|3
Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Nearside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|3

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

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