MOT History from tests of diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLFs year 1997

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:45.39%

(The average a diesel VOLKSWAGEN GOLF year 1997 passes without issue)

Based on:52,932 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Brake pipe excessively corroded	8315
Registration plate lamp issues	6752
Headlamp aim out of alignment	5231
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	3432
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	2224
Registration plate issues	1595
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	1427
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1423
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	1347
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	1329
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	1329
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	1296
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	1230
Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	1083
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	959
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	951
Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	947
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	913
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	900
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	897
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	889
Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	812
Offside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	800
Offside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	765
Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	735
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	712
Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	696
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	690
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	626
Rear brake binding	606
Offside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	575
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	561
Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	558
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	550
Windscreen has damage	526
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	506
Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	500
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a non-turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	496
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	481
Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	468
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	462
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	445
Offside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	439
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	439
Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	438
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	423
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	420
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	409
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	408
Rear Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	405
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	400
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	381
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	380
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	375
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	372
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	367
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	367
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	366
Rear brake application uneven	365
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	363
Offside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure \|3.6.B.3\|	340
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	340
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	332
Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	323
Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.6.1\|	323
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	314
Nearside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	307
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	301
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	301
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	298
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	295
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	292
Offside Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	283
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	271
Offside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	270
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	269
Nearside Rear Shock absorber has negligible damping effect \|2.7.5\|	259
Offside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	258
Nearside Front Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	255
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	252
Front brake application uneven	245
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	245
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	244
Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	243
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	227
Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	224
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	220
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	211
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	207
Offside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	206
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	202
Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	199
Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	199
Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	196
Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded \|2.4.A.3\|	196
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	191
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	190
Nearside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	190
Offside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	190
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	189
Offside Front Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	183
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	181
Offside Obligatory mirror seriously damaged, affecting the rear view \|8.1.2a\|	179
Nearside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	176
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	173
Offside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	172
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	172
Offside Front Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	170
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	167
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	167
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	165
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	164
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	164
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	160
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement in the upper support bearing assembly \|2.5.B.1b\|	157
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement in the upper support bearing assembly \|2.5.B.1b\|	156
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	155
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	154
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	153
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	152
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	152
Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	152
Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	152
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	151
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	149
Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split \|2.2.D.2d\|	148
Steering column top mounting bracket insecure \|2.1.2d\|	147
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	145
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	142
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	136
Brake load sensing valve linkage seized \|3.6.E.3\|	133
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	130
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	129
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	127
Fuel cap/sealing device does not fasten securely maintaining the sealing arrangement \|7.2.4b\|	126
Centre Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	123
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	122
Offside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	122
Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	121
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	118
Offside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	118
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	115
Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	115
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	115
Exhaust tailpipe not capable of allowing the emission probe to be inserted \|7.4.B.1\|	114
Power steering malfunctioning \|2.3.3a\|	112
Offside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	112
Nearside Rear Rear position lamp\|s\| excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance \|1.1.A.3d\|	112
Nearside Rear Trailing arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	111
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	110
Nearside Front Body has a sharp edge caused by corrosion \|6.1.C.1\|	110
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	110
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	110
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	108
Offside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	108
Offside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	107
Nearside Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	106
Offside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated \|8.2.2\|	105
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded \|5.2.6\|	104
Nearside Rear Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings \|6.1.B.2\|	104
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	100
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	99
Offside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	99
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	97
Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated \|2.5.A.2\|	95
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	93
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	90
Nearside Front front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	90
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	89
Nearside Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	88
Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	88
Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	88
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	87
Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	87
Brake hose damaged	87

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 1997

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