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Volkswagen GOLF - 1996

359.6 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1996 is 337.1 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen GOLF, model year 1996. Sample size: 996 cars, 2,020 tests and 7,264 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 996 cars

The 1996 Volkswagen Golf has an overall defect rate of 360 defects per 100 vehicles, which is 9% higher than the yearly average of 330 defects. It shows a notable increase in defects as mileage rises, particularly in the highest mileage range, where defects reach 541 per 100 vehicles compared to 533 for the average. The Golf performs better than average in steering and equipment defects, with rates of 22% and 19%, respectively, compared to 30% and 24% for the average car. However, it struggles significantly with brake-related issues, showing a defect rate of 180%, which is over 32% worse than the average. Overall, while the Golf has specific strengths in handling and equipment, its brake performance raises concerns.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 996 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
▼ 31.4% worse
179.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 136.6 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
Steering
▲ 29.2% better
21.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 30.8 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • Power steering pipe, hose or wiring: excessively damaged or corroded
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
Visibility
▲ 9.8% better
24.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 27.6 / 100 tests
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: defective
Lights & Electrics
▼ 3.8% worse
68.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 66.2 / 100 tests
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Beam image obviously incorrect
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
  • A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 12.2% worse
263.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 234.4 / 100 tests
  • A wheel bearing: with excessive play
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
Body/Structure
▲ 7.4% better
80.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 86.6 / 100 tests
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
Equipment
▲ 26.5% better
19.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.0 / 100 tests
  • 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
  • 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
  • Audible warning:
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
Other
▲ 5.9% better
62.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.9 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 541 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)

Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 726
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 470
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 387
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 347
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 300
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 294
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 240
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 222
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 184
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 182

Serious faults (Top 10)

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm … is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
FAIL
Occurrences: 120
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 97
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 72
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 64
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 62
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 60
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 59
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 58
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
FAIL
Occurrences: 56
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
FAIL
Occurrences: 54