Volkswagen Golf Life Tdi
From 1,408 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged and engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction. The top issue, a tyre seriously damaged, caused 37 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a tyre seriously damaged | 37 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 21 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 12 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 12 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 11 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 10 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 7 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 4 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 4 |
| a tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. this includes any lifting of the tread rubber | 3 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 18.2% of Golf Life Tdi failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 53.7% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £94.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88.6% | a tyre seriously damaged, a tyre cords visible or damaged |
| 2020 | 91.1% | a tyre seriously damaged, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
Typical mileage
Half of all Golf Life Tdis tested had between 24,836 and 52,084 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 37,085 median miles, the Golf Life Tdi has 0.028 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Volkswagen models
| Volkswagen Golf | 79.1% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 73.8% |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 73.8% |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 84.6% |
| Volkswagen Passat | 76.9% |
Common questions
What is the Volkswagen Golf Life Tdi MOT pass rate?
The Volkswagen Golf Life Tdi has a 89.6% MOT pass rate based on 1,408 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Golf Life Tdi?
The most common MOT failure on the Volkswagen Golf Life Tdi is a tyre seriously damaged, which caused 37 failures. Other common issues include a tyre cords visible or damaged.
What is the typical mileage of a Volkswagen Golf Life Tdi at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volkswagen Golf Life Tdi is 37,085 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 24,836 and 52,084 miles.
Buying a used Golf Life Tdi?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.