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MOT History from tests of diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLFs year 1981

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:51.23%
(The average a diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLF year 1981 passes without issue)
Based on:162 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively18
Headlamp aim out of alignment17
Horn not working |1.6.2a|11
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|8
Brake hose excessively deteriorated8
Registration plate lamp issues8
Registration plate issues7
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|6
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|6
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|6
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|5
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort5
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|5
Brakes imbalanced across an axle4
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Brake pipe excessively corroded4
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine |7.4.B.3b|4
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|4
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|3
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|3
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|3
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|3
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|2
Rear brake application uneven2
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|2
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|2
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|2
Brake hose has insufficient room to move2
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|2
Emissions not tested |7.0|2
Offside Front Direction indicator insecure |1.4.A.2b|2
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|2
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|2
Brake has no servo assistance |3.3.B.2|2
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|2
Offside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|2
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|2
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|2
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|2
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|2
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|2
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|2
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|2
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Rear brake binding2
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|2
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|2
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|2
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|2
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|2
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement2
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|2
Windscreen wiper blade insecure2
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|1
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|1
Horn not a continuous or uniform sound |1.6.2e|1
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded floor pan |2.4.A.3|1
Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner crossmember |2.4.A.3|1
Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded inner valance / boot floor |2.4.A.3|1
Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play both |2.6.2|1
Headlamp not working on dipped beam both front |1.7.5a|1
Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|1
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Offside Front Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Centre Obligatory mirror seriously deteriorated, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|1
Rear Brake valve leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release |5.2.5a|1
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|1
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|1
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|1
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete |2.4.C.1a|1
Brake cable has wires broken and is significantly weakened |3.5.1b|1
Rear Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|1
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly |1.4.B.1e|1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|1
Offside Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.2.1f|1
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment |2.5.A.1c|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (1.1.12 (d))1
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure DANGEROUS POSSIBLE FAILURE (1.1.12 (d))1
Offside Front Brake hose damaged and likely to fail (1.1.12 (a))1
Nearside Front Brake hose damaged and likely to fail (1.1.12 (a))1
Nearside Front Seat belt buckle not functioning as intended Seat belt buckle very hard to disengage seat belt with out fiddling around (7.1.2 (d))1
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))1
Brake performance not tested due to front flexi pipes may burst under the brake pressure (1.2.1 (g))1
Offside Rear fog lamp missing |1.3.2a|1
Rear fog lamp switch missing |1.3.1a|1
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has an inadequate repair, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Offside Outer Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Front brake disc excessively scored |3.5.1h|1
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|1
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|1
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion |6.1.C.1|1
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint is excessively worn |2.5.C.1b|1
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|1
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded nearside front floor x2 |2.4.A.3|1
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded nearside front to inner wing |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|1
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|1
Steering component is not secure to the vehicle structure |2.2.B.1a|1
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Nearside Rear Brake valve leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded offside front inner wing |2.4.A.3|1
Fuel pipe leaking pipe from fuel tank |7.2.3|1
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |6.2.A.3|1
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.5.A.2|1
Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Body has a projection caused by damage |6.1.C.1|1
Nearside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded and its strength is seriously reduced |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|1
Offside Rear Brake hose twisted |3.6.B.4c|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting |6.6.6|1
Nearside Inner Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Offside Front Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened |2.4.G.1|1
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|1
Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|1
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. |6.2.A.2|1
Battery insecure |1.9.1|1
Nearside Front Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Offside Front Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt|s| missing |4.2.A.1e|1
Nearside Front Brake pipe twisted |found during steering lock to lock check| |2.2.D.2b|1
Nearside Front Lower brake caliper securing device missing |3.5.1j|1
Offside Front Brake back plate|s| securing device excessively deteriorated |3.5.1j|1
Nearside Front Brake back plate|s| securing device missing |3.5.1j|1
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|1
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported |3.6.B.1|1
Nearside Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|1
Offside Front Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |2.2.C.1c|1
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|1
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|1
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|1
Offside Rear Seat belt not functioning as intended |7.1.2 |c||1
Front Windscreen washer jets misaligned and not providing sufficient fluid to the windscreen |3.5 |a||1
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced Outer sill |7.1.1 |a| |i||1
Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength O/S/R & N/S/R outer sill and wheel arch bays |5.3.6 |a| |i||1
Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Front bumper areas |5.3.6 |a| |i||1
Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength Spare wheel well |5.3.6 |a| |i||1
Rear Fuel hose leaking |7.2.3|1
Central Lower Fuel pipe leaking UNDER FLOOR |7.2.3|1
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view |8.1.2a|1
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|1
Service brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value |1.2.2 |a| |ii||1
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |4.1.1 |a| |ii||1
Stop lamp|s| all not working |4.3.1 |a| |iii||1
All direction indicators not working |4.4.1 |a| |ii||1
Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only |3.1.2|1
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user |1.6.2b|1
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering |6.1.A.1|1
Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect |4.1.2 |c||1
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Offside Front Coil spring corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened (5.3.1 (b) (i))1
Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect Both (4.1.2 (c))1
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|1
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.1.A.3f|1
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Inner Front drive shaft coupling is insecure |2.5.C.1c|1
Nearside Rear Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|1
Rear Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|1
Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped |3.6.B.1|1
Offside Front Fuel pipe insecure |7.2.1|1
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecure to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Front Shock absorber insecure |2.7.2b|1
Offside front brake binding |3.7.B.1|1
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill section (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill section (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill section (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Offside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill section (5.3.6 (a) (i))1
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |2.5.C.1a|1
Offside Front constant velocity joint is insecure |2.5.C.1b|1
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|1
Fuel cap/sealing device sealing washer deteriorated |7.2.4c|1
Offside Rear Seat belt retracting mechanism defective |5.2.5b|1
Nearside Rear Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Central Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|1
Central Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|1
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| incorrect colour |1.1.A.3e|1
Nearside Front Track rod end loose |2.2.B.1d|1
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|1
Offside Front Braking system leaking |3.6.A.1|1
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|1
Nearside Front Direction indicator adversely affected by the operation of another lamp |1.4.A.2h|1
Nearside Front Brake hose twisted |found during steering lock to lock check| |2.2.D.2b|1
Front Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|1
Offside Brake cable locking device insecure |3.5.1l|1
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|1
Nearside Front Macpherson strut insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Front Macpherson strut insecure |2.4.G.1|1
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|1
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|1
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|1
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|1
Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|1
Nearside Front Steering locking device missing |2.2.C.1g|1
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|1
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|1
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.C.1b|1
Offside Front Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching by more than 10mm within zone `A` |8.3.1b|1
Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Nearside Headlamp excessively deteriorated so that the light output is severely reduced |1.7.5a|1
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|1
Nearside Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment |2.5.A.1c|1
Centre Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|1
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|1
Nearside Rear Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|1

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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