MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN GOLFs year 1985

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:49.93%

(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN GOLF year 1985 passes without issue)

Based on:10,987 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	953
Headlamp aim out of alignment	901
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	806
Brake pipe excessively corroded	753
Registration plate lamp issues	734
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	696
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	533
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	486
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	382
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	330
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	279
Registration plate issues	256
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	201
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	176
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	169
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	164
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	163
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	157
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	155
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	152
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	151
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	151
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	147
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	126
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive \|7.3.B.1b\|	122
Rear brake binding	119
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	118
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	108
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	108
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	106
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	106
Rear brake application uneven	100
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	99
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	97
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	95
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	93
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	93
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	91
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	90
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	89
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	89
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	87
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	86
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	80
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	79
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	76
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	73
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	72
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	70
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	69
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	68
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	66
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	66
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	63
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	62
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	61
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	61
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	61
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	60
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	58
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	54
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	54
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	53
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	53
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	52
Exhaust engine idle speed too high \|7.3.A.2a\|	51
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	49
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	49
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	48
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	48
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	48
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	48
Windscreen has damage	47
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	46
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	45
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	44
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	43
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	43
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	43
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	42
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	42
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	42
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	41
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	41
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	41
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))	40
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	40
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	40
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	40
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	39
Brake hose damaged	39
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	39
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	38
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	37
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	36
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	36
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	36
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	35
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	35
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	35
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	35
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	34
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	34
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	34
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	34
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	34
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	33
Windscreen washer not working	33
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	33
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	32
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	32
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	31
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	31
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	31
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	30
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	30
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	30
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	29
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	29
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	29
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	29
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	29
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	28
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	28
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	28
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	28
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	28
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	28
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	28
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	28
Front brake application uneven	27
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	27
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	27
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	27
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	27
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	27
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	27
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	27
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	26
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	26
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	26
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	26
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	26
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	25
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	25
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	25
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	25
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	25
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	24
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	24
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	24
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	24
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	23
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	23
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	23
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	23
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	23
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	23
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	22
Steering system excessively rough \|2.2.D.1\|	22
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	22
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	22
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	22
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	22
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	21
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	21
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	21
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	21
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	20
Rear Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	20
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	20
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	20
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	20
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	20
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	20
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	20
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	19
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	19
Fuel system component insecure \|7.2.1\|	19
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	19
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	18
Parking brake efficiency below requirements \|1.4.2 \|a\| \|i\|\|	18
Horn not working (7.7 (a))	18
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	18
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	18
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	18
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	18
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	18
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	18
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	18
Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged \|3.6.B.4d\|	17
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	17
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	17
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	17
Nearside Front Sub-frame corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	17

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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MOT History from tests of petrol VOLKSWAGEN GOLFs year 1985

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