MOT performance
1989 Volkswagen Golf: MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 2,544 MOT tests on 1989-registered Volkswagen Golfs in 2023–2024 (on average 25 years old at test, median 124,514 miles), 70.8% passed first time, 3.1 points lower than the Volkswagen Golf overall. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, 1989 Volkswagen Golfs failed 11% less often than comparable cars.
2,544 MOT tests on 1,550 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
Check a specific car's MOT history and running costsAt a glance
| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 70.8% | ±1.8 pts (95%), n = 2,544 |
| All Volkswagen Golfs | 73.9% | n = 1,817,206 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.89× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 6.0% | n = 2,544 |
| Average age at test | 25 years | n = 2,544 |
Where 1989 Volkswagen Golfs fail
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 16.0% | +5% |
| Brakes | 9.4% | -13% |
| Suspension | 8.6% | -19% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 8.5% | +4% |
| Driver's view of the road | 6.1% | -4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.9% | -25% |
| Steering | 3.7% | +13% |
| Tyres | 2.1% | -33% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.0% | -63% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.7% | +4% |
| Road wheels | 0.2% | -12% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.2% | +149% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Non catalyst emissions: emissions carbon monoxide content excessive | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.77% |
| Service brake imbalance: across an axle | Brakes | 2.52% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 2.52% |
| Horn: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.48% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.40% |
Check a specific 1989 Volkswagen Golf
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.