2020 Volkswagen Golf S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,455 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Volkswagen Golf S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.7% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 12.9% in the 120-150k group versus 5.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.6% | 192 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.5% | 51 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 47 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.3% | 44 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 23 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.6% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 52 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 51 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 50 |
| 4 | Wipers | 36 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 21 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 18 |
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 | 22.3% | 771 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.6% | 331 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.4% | 291 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.6% | 194 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 104 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.0% | 33 |
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 | 1,306 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,572 | 8.5% |
| 60-90k | 443 | 13.3% |
| 90-120k | 101 | 13.9% |
| 120-150k | 31 | 12.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 41 | 4.9% |
| 2023 | 1,160 | 9.0% |
| 2024 | 1,119 | 6.8% |
| 2025 | 1,135 | 9.2% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Golf S-A
Before buying a 2020 Volkswagen Golf 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.
- Suspension (1.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.4% 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 2020 Volkswagen Golf S-As pass their MOT?
91.7% of the 3,455 2020 Volkswagen Golf S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen Golf S-A?
Tyres, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by suspension (1.5%).
Does the 2020 Golf S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 12.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,455 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.