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Volkswagen GOLF - 1986

230.4 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1986 is 241.8 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen GOLF, model year 1986. Sample size: 393 cars, 733 tests and 1,689 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 393 cars

The 1986 Volkswagen Golf has an overall defect rate of 230 per 100 vehicles, which is slightly better than the yearly average of 240 per 100 vehicles, reflecting a 3.8% improvement. Notably, the Golf excels in steering and equipment defects, where it performs significantly better than the average car, with defect rates of 11% and 10% compared to 29% and 16% respectively. However, the defect rates vary by mileage, with higher rates observed in the lowest mileage category (453 per 100), suggesting potential early-life issues. Overall, this model shows a balanced performance, standing out positively in key categories.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 393 cars

More model years for Volkswagen GOLF

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

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Categories

Brakes
▼ 11.1% worse
98.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 88.2 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
  • Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
Steering
▲ 64.7% better
10.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 30.0 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Excessive radial movement between the top of the steering column and the shaft indicating an excessively worn top bearing
  • Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
Visibility
▲ 0.9% better
21.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 21.8 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: defective
Lights & Electrics
▲ 13.5% better
52.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 60.2 / 100 tests
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 5.2% better
149.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 157.4 / 100 tests
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
Body/Structure
▼ 11.7% worse
61.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 54.7 / 100 tests
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
Equipment
▲ 32.0% better
11.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 16.9 / 100 tests
  • Audible warning:
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • Speedometer: not sufficiently illuminated
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • A seat belt:
Other
▼ 3.3% worse
55.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 54.1 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
  • Emissions test unable to be completed
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Any part of the noise suppression system: insecure

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 464 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 162
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 96
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 91
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 78
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 76
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 66
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 65
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 39
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 31
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 30

Serious faults (Top 10)

Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
FAIL
Occurrences: 27
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 25
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 25
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 22
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 22
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 17
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 16