MOT History from tests of diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLFs year 1989

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:44.60%

(The average a diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLF year 1989 passes without issue)

Based on:4,388 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Headlamp aim out of alignment	567
Registration plate lamp issues	519
Brake pipe excessively corroded	487
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	292
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	279
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	267
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	223
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	211
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	170
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	161
Registration plate issues	157
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	150
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	136
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	104
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	103
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	100
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	98
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	93
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	87
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	83
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	83
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	80
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	79
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	76
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	75
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	75
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	72
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	71
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	70
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	69
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	69
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	67
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	65
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	65
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	63
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	62
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	58
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	57
Rear brake application uneven	56
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	55
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	53
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	50
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	49
Rear brake binding	48
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	48
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	47
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	47
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	46
Offside Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	44
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	43
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	43
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	41
Windscreen has damage	40
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	40
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	40
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	40
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	40
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	40
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	39
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	38
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	38
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	35
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	34
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	34
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	34
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	34
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	34
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	33
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	33
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	33
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	33
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	32
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	32
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	31
Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	31
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	31
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	30
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	30
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	30
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	29
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	28
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	28
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	28
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	28
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	28
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	26
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	26
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	26
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	25
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	25
Offside Side repeater missing \|1.4.A.2b\|	25
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	25
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	24
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	24
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	24
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	24
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	24
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	23
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	23
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	23
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	23
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	23
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	22
Brake hose damaged	22
Fuel tank leaking \|7.2.3\|	22
Offside Rear fog lamp insecure \|1.3.2a\|	22
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	22
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	22
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	22
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	22
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	21
Windscreen washer not working	21
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	21
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	20
Nearside Side repeater missing \|1.4.A.2b\|	20
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	20
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	20
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	20
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	20
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	20
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	20
Offside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	19
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1b\|	19
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	19
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	19
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	19
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	19
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	18
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	18
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	18
Rear Brake valve leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	18
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	18
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	17
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	17
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	17
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	17
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	16
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	16
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	16
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	16
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	16
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	16
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	16
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	16
Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))	15
Nearside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	15
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	15
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	15
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	15
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	15
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition off \|1.4.B.1f\|	15
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	15
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	15
Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	15
Offside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	14
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	14
Brake load sensing valve seized \|3.6.E.3\|	14
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Centre Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	14
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	14
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	14
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	13
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	13
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	13
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	13
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	13
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	13
Nearside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	13
Nearside Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	13
Offside Front Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	13
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	12
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	12
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Offside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	12
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	12
Offside Front Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Offside Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	12
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	12
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	12
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	12
Nearside Front Side repeater missing \|1.4.A.2b\|	11
Brake valve leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	11
Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	11
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	11
Nearside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Direction indicators flashing more than 120 times a minute \|1.4.A.2g\|	11
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	11
Nearside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	11
Rear Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	11
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	11
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	11
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	11
Offside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	11
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	11
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	11
Offside Front Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	11
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	10
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	10
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	10
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	10
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	10
Nearside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	10
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Offside Front Side repeater missing \|1.4.A.2b\|	9
Fuel hose leaking \|7.2.3\|	9
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	9
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	9
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	9
Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	9
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	9
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	9
Nearside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Nearside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	9
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	9
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	9
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	9
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately supported \|3.6.B.1\|	9
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	9
Nearside Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Hazard warning lamps inoperative \|1.4.B.1b\|	9
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	9
Main beam `tell-tale` not working \|1.7.4c\|	9
Nearside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	8
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	8
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	8
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	8
Front brake application uneven	8
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete \|3.3.A.1b\|	8
Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))	8
Steering rack insecure \|2.2.B.1a\|	8
Nearside Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	8
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	8
Nearside Rear Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	8
Offside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	8
Rear fog lamp insecure \|1.3.2a\|	8
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by damage \|6.1.C.1\|	8
Offside Front Lower Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	8
rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	8
Front passenger seat insecure \|6.2.3\|	8
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	8

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 1989

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