>

MOT History from tests of petrol 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:46.40%
(The average a petrol VOLKSWAGEN GOLF year 1988 passes without issue)
Based on:38,100 MOT Tests
Most common failuresNo# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded3712
Registration plate lamp issues3593
Brake hose excessively deteriorated3566
Headlamp aim out of alignment3518
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|2783
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively2239
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |7.3.B.1a|2206
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort1873
Horn not working |1.6.2a|1061
Registration plate issues860
Offside Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|856
Brakes imbalanced across an axle827
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|748
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|739
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|675
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|662
Nearside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|650
Offside Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|574
Service brake: efficiency below requirements |3.7.B.7|563
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|537
Offside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|533
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|498
Offside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|489
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|468
Nearside Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|467
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|465
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|449
Nearside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|433
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|429
Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|428
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|424
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment |2.5.A.1c|423
Offside Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|416
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|414
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|406
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment |2.5.A.1c|394
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|392
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|383
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|376
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases |7.1.2|365
Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive |7.3.B.1b|342
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|335
Rear brake application uneven332
Rear brake binding321
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|317
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|312
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel |3.1.6b|296
Windscreen has damage291
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|282
Rear Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|270
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|270
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|269
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|265
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|264
Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|261
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|259
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|254
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|251
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|249
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|238
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|230
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play |2.6.2|229
Nearside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|226
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|224
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak |2.7.3|222
Brake hose damaged221
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|216
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|215
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|214
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|204
Emissions not tested |7.0|204
Offside Front Direction indicator not working |1.4.A.2c|204
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|200
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened198
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|189
Offside Front Front position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|186
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working |1.2.1b|185
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|185
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|185
Centre Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|184
Nearside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|182
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working |1.3.1b|181
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|179
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort |3.7.B.5a|176
Offside Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|173
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized |3.6.E.3|173
Exhaust engine idle speed too high |7.3.A.2a|166
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|166
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|165
Driver`s seat insecure |6.2.A.1|160
Exhaust mounting missing |7.1.1b|159
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|155
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|154
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split |2.5.C.1a|152
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|151
Nearside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|150
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|143
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|141
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|141
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|141
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |6.2.B.1b|141
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|140
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|137
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|137
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|137
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|133
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|133
Rear Rear fog lamp not working |1.3.2b|133
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|133
Brake hose has insufficient room to move132
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|130
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated |2.6.1|130
Offside Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|127
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split |2.2.D.2d|126
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint |2.5.B.1a|125
Brake pedal spongy |3.3.B.1b|124
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded |5.2.6|123
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated |8.2.2|123
Battery insecure |1.9.1|122
Windscreen washer not working 120
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|120
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|118
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|116
Offside Front Side repeater not working |1.4.A.2c|113
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|113
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))113
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside |1.8|109
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|107
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam |1.7.5a|105
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure |3.6.B.3|104
Hazard warning switch faulty |1.4.B.1d|103
Fuel system component leaking |7.2.3|103
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|101
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened98
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|98
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|93
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on |1.4.B.1f|92
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|92
Windscreen wiper blade insecure91
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off |1.4.B.1f|90
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|90
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|89
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|88
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` |8.3.1e|85
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint |2.4.G.2|84
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement |2.4.G.2|84
Nearside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|83
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|82
Front brake application uneven82
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized |3.6.E.3|81
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|81
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|81
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel |steering rack fitted| |2.2.A.1b|80
Nearside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|80
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam |1.7.5a|80
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image |1.2.4a|80
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|79
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|79
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))77
Offside Rear position lamp|s| not working |1.1.A.3b|76
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|76
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|76
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure |1.7.3|76
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|75
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing |2.5.C.1a|74
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|74
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|74
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported |7.1.1|73
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|73
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement |7.2.4b|73
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|72
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect |2.7.5|72
Offside Rear Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|71
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|71
Direction indicators not working |1.4.A.2c|70
Nearside Side repeater missing |1.4.A.2b|70
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement in the upper support bearing assembly |2.5.B.1b|70
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |6.2.A.3|69
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on |8.2.1b|68
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|68
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated |7.1.1a|67
Offside Rear coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|67
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement in the upper support bearing assembly |2.5.B.1b|67
Steering column top bearing excessively worn |2.1.2c|67
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play |2.2.B.1f|67
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect |1.8.A.1b|66
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded |2.4.A.3|66
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted |3.5.1h|66
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play |2.5.A.3c|65
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|65
Offside Rear Rear position lamp|s| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance |1.1.A.3d|65
Fuel pipe leaking |7.2.3|63
Offside Front coil spring fractured |2.4.C.1a|63
Nearside Rear Statutory seat belt missing |5.1.1|63
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|63
Brake performance not tested |3.7.A.1|62
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position |8.4.1|62
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings |6.1.B.2|62

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.

Find us on Facebook

© KnowYourCar™ 2019. All rights reserved
Except where otherwise noted, content on our MOT statistics pages are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
You are free to redistribute the material in any medium or format as long as credit is given to KnowYourCar

WARNING: We have placed hidden watermarks in our data. We will take action against our data being used outside of these terms.

MOT Data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

By using our site you are agreeing to our terms and conditions
Terms & Conditions  Privacy Policy