MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN GOLFs year 1980

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:54.31%

(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN GOLF year 1980 passes without issue)

Based on:1,532 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	148
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	95
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	86
Registration plate lamp issues	62
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	59
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	56
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	55
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	53
Brake pipe excessively corroded	50
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	45
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	44
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	43
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	37
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	35
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	32
Registration plate issues	32
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	31
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	28
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	28
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	28
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	27
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	25
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	25
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	24
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	22
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	21
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	20
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	20
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	19
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	18
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	17
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	17
Rear brake binding	16
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	16
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	15
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	15
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	15
Rear brake application uneven	15
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	14
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	13
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	11
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	11
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	11
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	11
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	11
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	11
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	11
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	10
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	10
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	10
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	9
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	9
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	9
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	9
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	8
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	8
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	8
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	8
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	8
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	7
An item not tested \|Manual\|	7
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1\|	7
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	7
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	7
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	7
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	7
Nearside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	7
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	7
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	7
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	7
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	6
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	6
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	6
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	6
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	6
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	6
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	6
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	6
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	6
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	6
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	6
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Steering rack insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	6
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	6
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	6
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	5
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	5
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	5
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	5
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	5
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Windscreen has damage	5
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	5
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	5
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	5
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	4
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	4
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	4
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	4
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	4
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	4
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	4
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	4
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	4
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	4
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	4
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	4
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	4
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating over a large enough area to give an adequate view \|8.2.1c\|	4
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	4
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	4
Offside Steering rack insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	4
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	4
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	4
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	4
Nearside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	4
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	4
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	4
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken \|3.1.5\|	4
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	4
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	4
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	4
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	4
Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	3
Nearside Front Macpherson strut insecure \|2.4.G.1\|	3
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	3
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	3
Horn control missing \|1.6.1\|	3
Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	3
Offside Rear An item not tested \|Manual\|	3
Nearside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Nearside Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt \|2.1.3 \|g\| \|ii\|\|	3
Offside Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	3
Offside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	3
Offside Headlamps matched pair are incorrectly positioned \|1.7.3\|	3
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	3
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	3
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	3
Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	3
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	3
Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	3
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	3
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	3
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	3
Nearside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))	3
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	3
rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	3
Offside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	3
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	3
Horn not working (7.7 (a))	3
Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release \|5.2.5a\|	3
Offside Front Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	3
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	3
Horn control insecure \|1.6.1\|	3
Nearside Rear Brake hose twisted \|3.6.B.4c\|	3
Offside Rear Brake hose twisted \|3.6.B.4c\|	3
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	3
Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	3
Offside Front Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	3
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	3
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	3
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely by positive means \|7.2.4b\|	3
Offside Front Seat belt affected by an insecure seat fixing \|5.2.1b\|	3
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	3
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	3
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	3
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement in the upper support bearing assembly \|2.5.B.1b\|	3
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	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.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN GOLFs year 1980

Find us on Facebook