Used car guide

2020 Volkswagen E-Golf: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Volkswagen E-Golfs, from 2,559 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,559MOT tests in 2025
88%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
7,100typical miles a year
5.5×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Volkswagen E-Golfs than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Shock absorbers5.5× usual
    Volkswagen E-Golf
    10.9% All 2020 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Better than most

Brake pads: 1.1% here, against 9.3% of all 2020 cars. Brake discs: 3.2% here, against 9% of all 2020 cars.

By area

The share of 2020 Volkswagen E-Golf MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    12% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    5% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    2% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

Looking at a Volkswagen E-Golf?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20193,650Tyres 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Volkswagen E-Golfs registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score