MOT History from tests of diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLFs year 1988

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:47.43%

(The average a diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLF year 1988 passes without issue)

Based on:2,916 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Registration plate lamp issues	342
Brake pipe excessively corroded	339
Headlamp aim out of alignment	287
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	180
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	171
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	166
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	164
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	157
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	134
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	98
Registration plate issues	91
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	87
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	82
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	68
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	68
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	63
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	63
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	59
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	57
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	55
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	52
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	51
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	48
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	48
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	46
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	46
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	43
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	43
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	43
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	41
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	39
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	38
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	37
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	35
Offside Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	35
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	32
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	32
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	31
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	31
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	30
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	30
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	30
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	29
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	28
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	27
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	27
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	26
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	26
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	26
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	25
Rear brake application uneven	25
Windscreen has damage	24
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	24
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	24
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	24
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	24
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	23
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	23
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	23
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	22
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	22
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	22
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	21
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	21
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	21
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	21
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	21
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	21
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	20
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	20
Rear brake binding	20
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	20
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	20
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	19
Nearside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	19
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	19
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	19
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	19
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	18
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	18
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	18
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	18
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	17
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	17
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	17
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	17
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	17
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	16
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	16
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	16
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	16
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	16
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	16
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	16
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	16
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	15
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	15
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	15
Brake hose damaged	14
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	14
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	14
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	14
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	14
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	14
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	13
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	13
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	13
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	13
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	13
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	13
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	13
Windscreen washer not working	13
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	12
Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	12
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	12
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	12
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	12
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	12
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	12
Offside Rear fog lamp insecure \|1.3.2a\|	12
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	12
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	12
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	11
Offside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	11
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	11
Nearside Side repeater missing \|1.4.A.2b\|	11
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	11
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	11
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	11
Offside Side repeater missing \|1.4.A.2b\|	11
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	11
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	11
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	11
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	11
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	10
Steering system excessively rough \|2.2.D.1\|	10
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	10
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	10
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	10
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	10
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	9
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	9
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	9
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	9
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	9
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	9
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	9
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	9
Offside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	9
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	9
Nearside Inner Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	8
Nearside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	8
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	8
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Offside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	8
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	8
Rear Brake valve leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	8
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	8
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	8
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	8
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Rear Exhaust has a part missing \|7.1.1a\|	7
Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	7
Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	7
Offside Front Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened \|2.4.G.1\|	7
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	7
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
rear brakes release unevenly \|3.7.B.4\|	7
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	7
Nearside Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	7
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	7
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	7
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	7
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	7
Brake valve leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	7
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	7
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Offside Front Brake hose twisted \|found during steering lock to lock check\| \|2.2.D.2b\|	7
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	7
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	7
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	6
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Nearside Inner Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Rear fog lamp insecure \|1.3.2a\|	6
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	6
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
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\|	6
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	6
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	6
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))	6
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	6
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	6
Front brake application uneven	6
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	6
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	6
Offside Rear fog lamp emits a light other than red \|1.3.2e\|	5
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\|	5
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	5
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	5
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	5
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint is insecure \|2.5.C.1b\|	5
Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	5
Nearside Obligatory mirror missing \|8.1.1\|	5
Parking brake is not capable of being maintained in operation by direct mechanical action only \|3.1.2\|	5
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has a deteriorated shackle pin rubber bush resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.B.2\|	5
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	5
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	5
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	5
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	5
An item not tested \|Manual\|	5
Nearside Front Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Nearside Front constant velocity joint is excessively worn \|2.5.C.1b\|	5
Nearside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	5
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	5
Offside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	5
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength \|5.3.6 \|a\| \|i\|\|	5
Nearside Rear Leaf spring has excessive wear in a shackle pin and/or bush \|2.4.B.2\|	5
Offside Rear fog lamp excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.3.2d\|	5
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	5
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired \|2.4.A.3\|	5
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	5
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	5
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	5
Offside Side repeater insecure \|1.4.A.2b\|	5
Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete \|3.3.A.1b\|	5
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	5
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	5
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	5
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	5

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 diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLFs year 1988

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