2021 Volkswagen Golf Gtd S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,639 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen Golf Gtd S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.4% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 21.6% in the 90-120k group versus 7.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.6% | 203 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.7% | 60 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 57 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 42 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 26 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 79 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 68 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 33 |
| 5 | Wipers | 25 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 24 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.4% | 741 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 448 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.9% | 213 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.5% | 163 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 103 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.7% | 61 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,078 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,104 | 8.4% |
| 60-90k | 403 | 11.9% |
| 90-120k | 51 | 21.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 69 | 7.2% |
| 2024 | 1,824 | 9.0% |
| 2025 | 1,739 | 8.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Golf Gtd S-A
Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen Golf Gtd S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.6% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Brakes (1.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (1.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Volkswagen Golf Gtd S-As pass their MOT?
91.4% of the 3,639 2021 Volkswagen Golf Gtd S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Golf Gtd S-A?
Tyres, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by brakes (1.7%).
Does the 2021 Golf Gtd S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 21.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,639 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.