2021 Volkswagen Golf R Line — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,190 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen Golf R Line, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and visibility. Its pass rate of 91.6% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 14.4% in the 60-90k group versus 7.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.1% | 319 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.3% | 140 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.7% | 102 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 61 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.6% | 39 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.6% | 36 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 207 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 112 |
| 3 | Wipers | 59 |
| 4 | Washers | 48 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 41 |
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 | 22.9% | 1,420 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 864 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.2% | 323 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.1% | 316 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.2% | 136 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 31 |
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 | 3,075 | 7.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,821 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 264 | 14.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 6,105 | 8.4% |
| Diesel | 85 | 4.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 90 | 5.6% |
| 2024 | 3,075 | 9.0% |
| 2025 | 3,025 | 7.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Golf R Line
Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen Golf R Line, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.1% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.1% 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.
- Suspension (2.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (1.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 R Lines pass their MOT?
91.6% of the 6,190 2021 Volkswagen Golf R Line MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Golf R Line?
Tyres, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by suspension (2.3%).
Does the 2021 Golf R Line get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.4% in the 0-30k band to 14.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,190 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.