87.6%
pass rate across 226,704 tests
86.0% first-time pass rate
72,807 mi median at test
Volkswagen Golf 2015 vs 2018
The same model, 3 years apart, compared on 426,364 real MOT tests. The raw pass rate mostly measures age; the like-for-like row and the mileage bands show what survives that adjustment.
90.7%
pass rate across 199,660 tests
89.8% first-time pass rate
47,598 mi median at test
The short answer
The 2018 Golf passes more — but most of it is age
Across 426,364 tests, the 2018 Golf passes 90.7% of MOTs and the 2015 87.6%. The 2018 cars are 3 years newer and were tested at a median 47,598 miles against 72,807, so part of that gap is simply age and use. Against what their age and mileage predict, the 2018 is +2.8 points and the 2015 +5.5 — a like-for-like gap of −2.7 points. Most of the raw advantage disappears once the two are matched. Typical repair bills are £38–£93 on the 2015 and £40–£94 on the 2018. The two bills are close. Repairs under £30 account for 19% of the 2015's recorded faults and 20% of the 2018's. Both years fail most often on windscreen.
- Pass rate: 87.6% vs 90.7%
- Tests: 226,704 vs 199,660
- Like-for-like: +5.5 vs +2.8 pts
- Median mileage: 72,807 vs 47,598 mi
- Typical repair: £38–£93 vs £40–£94
- Cheap fixes: 19% vs 20%
| Measure | 2015 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests on record | 226,704 | 199,660 |
| Pass rate, all MOTs | 87.6% | 90.7% stronger figure |
| First-time pass rate | 86.0% | 89.8% stronger figure |
| Against the UK average | +5.5 pts stronger figure | +2.8 pts |
| Like-for-like, age and mileage adjusted | +5.5 pts stronger figure | +2.8 pts |
| Average mileage at test | 76,385 mi | 51,000 mi |
| Median mileage at test | 72,807 mi | 47,598 mi |
| Typical repair bill | £38–£93 stronger figure | £40–£94 |
| Repairs under £30 | 19% | 20% stronger figure |
| Most common failing part | Windscreen | Windscreen |
| Variants recorded | 2 | 1 |
| Main fuel | Diesel 55% | Petrol 67% |
A ✓ marks the stronger figure in each row. It compares the two model years, not either one against the national average.
What goes wrong most often
The most common priced failures on each year, as a share of that year's tests. Repair costs are estimates from UK parts data, not quotes.
2015 Golf
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 2.5% £80–£200
- Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak 2.0% £30–£75
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.1% £45–£95
- Coil spring fractured or broken 1.1% £25–£65
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.1% £45–£95
2018 Golf
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 1.9% £80–£200
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.4% £45–£95
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 0.9% £45–£95
- Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak 0.9% £30–£75
- Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick 0.8% £18–£45
Does the gap hold at higher mileage?
Pass rate by the mileage recorded at test. If the lead shrinks in the high-mileage bands, part of the headline difference was a younger, lower-mileage sample.
| Mileage | 2015 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30,000 mi | 93.9% · 9,935 tests | 94.4% · 35,294 tests |
| 30,000–60,000 mi | 90.8% · 63,373 tests | 91.1% · 105,323 tests |
| 60,000–90,000 mi | 87.1% · 87,237 tests | 88.2% · 46,467 tests |
| 90,000–120,000 mi | 84.3% · 45,898 tests | 86.0% · 10,003 tests |
| 120,000+ mi | 84.2% · 20,219 tests | 87.3% · 2,554 tests |
What to check before you buy
2015 Volkswagen Golf
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view — 2.5% of tests · £80–£200
- Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak — 2.0% of tests · £30–£75
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords — 1.1% of tests · £45–£95
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
2018 Volkswagen Golf
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view — 1.9% of tests · £80–£200
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords — 1.4% of tests · £45–£95
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm — 0.9% of tests · £45–£95
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
Compare another pair of years for the Volkswagen Golf? Pick two years →
Compare a different pair of years? Pick two years of the Volkswagen Golf →
Or put the Golf against another model: Compare the Volkswagen Golf side by side →