Volkswagen Golf S TDI Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volkswagen Golf S TDI car check
Is the Volkswagen Golf S TDI reliable? We analysed 14,095 real MOT tests across 2,703 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volkswagen Golf S TDI? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volkswagen Golf S TDI is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volkswagen Golf S TDI.
Volkswagen Golf S TDI — specs & performance
Verified from DVLA & DVSA recordsA snapshot of the engine, performance, dimensions, fuel economy and running costs for the Volkswagen Golf S TDI — drawn from official DVLA vehicle records and the DVSA fuel-economy database.
Engine & Performance
- Engine size
- 1598cc
- Power
- 105 BHP
- 0–62 mph
- 11.3 sec
- Fuel type
- Diesel
Body & Dimensions
- Body type
- Car
- Common colour
- Silver
- Wheel plan
- 2 Axle Rigid Body
Fuel Economy
- Combined
- 62.8 mpg
- Urban
- 48.7 mpg
- Extra-urban
- 74.3 mpg
- Fuel cost / 12k mi
- £1478
Tax & Emissions
- CO2 output
- 119 g/km Band C
- Emission class
- Not Available
- Road tax (12 mo.)
- £30
- Road tax (6 mo.)
- £N/A
- Insurance group
- 15 of 50
Volkswagen Golf S TDI Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volkswagen Golf S TDI. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volkswagen Golf S TDI Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volkswagen Golf S TDI fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volkswagen Golf S TDI Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Volkswagen Golf S TDI models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Volkswagen Golf S TDI Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volkswagen Golf S TDI owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volkswagen Golf S TDI Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volkswagen Golf S TDI MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
How Does the Volkswagen Golf S TDI Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf S TDI THIS CAR | 82.6% | 14,095 | 117,811 mi | — yrs |
| Volkswagen Golf | 74.9% | 22,270,993 | 83,305 mi | 37 yrs |
| Volkswagen Polo | 72.9% | 14,598,296 | 60,351 mi | 35 yrs |
| Volkswagen Passat | 73.5% | 6,960,690 | 105,632 mi | 32 yrs |
| Honda Hornet | 84.1% | 6,744 | 19,308 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the Volkswagen Golf (74.9% pass rate) and the Volkswagen Polo (72.9% pass rate), the Volkswagen Golf S TDI outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Volkswagen Golf S TDI you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Volkswagen Golf S TDIShould you buy a used Volkswagen Golf S TDI?
The Volkswagen Golf S TDI has an overall MOT pass rate of 82.6% across 14,095 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common failure point is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm with 1 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Volkswagen Golf S TDI with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Volkswagen Golf S TDI owner drives around 8,387 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.