MOT History from tests of petrol 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:52.23%

(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN GOLF year 1981 passes without issue)

Based on:3,525 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	390
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	229
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	205
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	173
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	172
Registration plate lamp issues	166
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	166
Brake pipe excessively corroded	158
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	118
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	108
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	89
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	85
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	80
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	65
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	64
Registration plate issues	64
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	63
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	61
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	54
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	52
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	52
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	51
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	50
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	49
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	48
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	48
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	47
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	47
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	43
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	39
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	39
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	38
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	38
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	37
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	36
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	35
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	34
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	33
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	32
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	32
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	32
Rear brake application uneven	32
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	31
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	29
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	29
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	27
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	27
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	27
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	26
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	26
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	26
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	26
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	26
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	25
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	24
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	24
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	24
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	24
Rear brake binding	23
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	23
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	23
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	23
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	22
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	22
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	21
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	21
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	21
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	21
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	20
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	20
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	20
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	19
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	19
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Steering rack insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	19
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	19
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	19
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	19
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	19
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	19
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	18
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1\|	18
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	17
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	17
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	17
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	17
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	17
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	16
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	16
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	16
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	16
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	16
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	15
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	15
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	15
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	15
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	15
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	14
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	14
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	14
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	14
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	14
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	13
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	13
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	13
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	13
Windscreen washer not working	13
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	12
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	12
Brake hose damaged	11
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	11
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	11
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	11
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	11
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	11
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	11
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	11
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	10
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	10
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	10
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	10
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	10
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	10
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	10
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	10
Offside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	10
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	9
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	9
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	9
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	9
Windscreen has damage	9
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	9
Offside Rear Coil spring not correctly located \|2.4.C.2\|	9
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	9
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	9
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	9
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Stop lamp remains on when the brakes are released	9
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	9
Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))	8
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	8
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	8
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	8
Horn control missing \|1.6.1\|	8
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	8
Offside Front Upper Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	8
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	8
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	8
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	8
Nearside Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	8
Nearside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	8
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	8
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	8
Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii))	8
All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	7
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	7
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	7
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	7
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	7
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	7
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	7
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	7
Offside Front Seat belt retracting mechanism defective \|5.2.5b\|	7
Offside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Nearside Front Macpherson strut insecure \|2.4.G.1\|	7
Nearside Rear Coil spring not correctly located \|2.4.C.2\|	7
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	7
Offside Front Macpherson strut insecure \|2.4.G.1\|	7
Front passenger door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	7
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	7
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	7
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	7
Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	7
Front brake application uneven	7
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement in the upper support bearing assembly \|2.5.B.1b\|	7
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	7
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))	7
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	7
Nearside Front Steering locking device missing \|2.2.C.1g\|	7
Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	7
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	6
Offside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	6
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	6
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	6
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	6
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Offside Steering rack insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	6
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	6
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|8.2.1.2 \|b\|\|	6
Offside Rear Seat belt insecurely fixed to the vehicles structure \|5.2.1a\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	6
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	6
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	6
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	6
Nearside Front Coil spring not correctly located \|2.4.C.2\|	6
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	6
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	6
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	6
Indicator tell tale inoperative \|1.4.A.2a\|	6
Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users \|1.8.A.1a\|	6
Offside Rear Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Rear Passenger`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	6
Parking brake lever ratchet mechanism is broken \|3.1.5\|	6
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	6
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Offside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6

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 1981

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