MOT History from tests of diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLFs year 1990

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:47.61%

(The average a diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLF year 1990 passes without issue)

Based on:2,926 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	370
Registration plate lamp issues	318
Headlamp aim out of alignment	314
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	194
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	180
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	167
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	117
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	83
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	73
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	67
Registration plate issues	65
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	65
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	48
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	45
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	43
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	42
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	40
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	40
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	39
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	39
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	37
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	37
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	37
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	36
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	35
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	35
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	35
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	34
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	33
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	33
Nearside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	32
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	32
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	31
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	30
Rear brake application uneven	30
Rear brake binding	30
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	27
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	27
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	27
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	27
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	27
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	27
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	26
Offside Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	25
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	25
Windscreen has damage	25
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	24
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	24
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	24
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	23
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	23
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure \|2.1.2d\|	22
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	22
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	22
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	22
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	22
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	22
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	21
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	21
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	21
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	21
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	20
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	20
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	19
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	19
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	19
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	19
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	18
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	18
Offside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	18
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	17
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	17
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	17
Hazard warning switch faulty \|1.4.B.1d\|	17
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	17
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	17
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	17
Nearside Rear rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	16
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	16
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	15
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	15
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	14
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	14
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	14
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	14
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	14
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	14
Brake hose damaged	14
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Nearside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1c\|	13
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	13
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	13
Offside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	13
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	13
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	13
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Nearside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	13
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	12
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive \|7.3.B.1a\|	12
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	12
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	12
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	12
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	12
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	12
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	12
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	12
Offside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	12
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	12
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	11
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	11
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	11
Offside Front Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	11
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	11
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	11
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	11
Steering column top bearing excessively worn \|2.1.2c\|	11
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	10
Brake hose has insufficient room to move	10
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	10
Offside Rear passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1c\|	10
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	10
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	10
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	10
Brake pedal creeps down while the pedal is held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	10
Rear Brake valve leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	10
Nearside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	9
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	9
Fuel pipe leaking \|7.2.3\|	9
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	9
Front Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	9
Nearside Rear Suspension spring mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	9
Nearside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	9
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	9
Offside Rear Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Driver`s door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	8
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	8
Offside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	8
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	8
Bonnet cannot be secured in the closed position \|8.4.1\|	8
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	8
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	8
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	8
Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle \|6.2.B.1b\|	8
Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	8
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	8
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	8
Offside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	8
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| adversely affected by the operation of another lamp \|1.1.A.3f\|	7
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	7
Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	7
Nearside Side repeater missing \|1.4.A.2b\|	7
Offside Side repeater missing \|1.4.A.2b\|	7
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	7
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	7
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	7
Brake pedal anti-slip provision missing \|3.3.A.1b\|	7
Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	7
Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	7
Hazard warning tell tale not working correctly \|1.4.B.1e\|	7
Offside Rear fog lamp missing \|1.3.2a\|	7
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	7
Horn not loud enough to be heard by another road user \|1.6.2b\|	7
Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	7
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	7
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	6
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	6
Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	6
Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	6
Nearside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	6
Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))	6
Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a) (ii))	6
Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	6
Rear Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	6
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	6
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	6
Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	6
Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	6
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	6
Driver`s seat fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. \|6.2.A.3\|	6
Steering column movement between the shaft and steering wheel \|2.1.2b\|	6
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	6
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	5
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Brake pedal has insufficient reserve movement \|3.3.A.5\|	5
Nearside Rear reflector missing \|1.5.1a\|	5
Brake master cylinder fluid level below minimum level \|3.6.G.1e\|	5
Horn not working \|7.7 \|a\| \|ii\|\|	5
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	5
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc \|2.5.C.1a\|	5
Nearside Rear Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Rear Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Hazard warning lamps not flashing in phase, with ignition on \|1.4.B.1f\|	5
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion which adversely affects braking or steering \|6.1.A.1\|	5
Front Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	5
Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	5
Offside Obligatory mirror insecure \|8.1.1\|	5
Nearside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped \|3.6.B.1\|	5
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	5
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter insecurely mounted to its housing \|2.5.C.1a\|	5
Nearside Steering rack gaiter insecure \|2.2.D.2d\|	5
Offside Front Side repeater not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	5
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	5
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	5
Brake pedal anti-slip provision incomplete \|3.3.A.1b\|	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 1990

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