Used car guide

2010 Volkswagen Golf: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Volkswagen Golfs, from 42,060 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

42,060MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
7,800typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Volkswagen Golfs than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Suspension arm2.9× usual
    Volkswagen Golf
    11.8% All 2010 cars
    4.1%
    Rough price £100–£300

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Shock absorbers2× usual
    Volkswagen Golf
    15.5% All 2010 cars
    7.8%
    Rough price £150–£400

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

  • Ball joint dust cover2.6× usual
    Volkswagen Golf
    10.3% All 2010 cars
    3.9%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Sub-frame1.6× usual
    Volkswagen Golf
    10.9% All 2010 cars
    7%
    Rough price £300–£1,000

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Link ball joint covers2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Golf
    6.5% All 2010 cars
    2.8%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.5% here, against 6.8% of all 2010 cars. Number plate lights: 4.2% here, against 9% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 Volkswagen Golf MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    53% 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.

  • Tyres
    35% 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.

  • Brakes
    27% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    8% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20206,897Tyres 25%
201947,832Tyres 27%
201861,308Tyres 28%
201769,522Tyres 27%
201664,588Tyres 28%
201567,002Tyres 29%
201463,755Suspension 31%
201354,310Suspension 35%
201250,818Suspension 44%
201148,351Suspension 50%
200940,531Suspension 52%
200835,266Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Volkswagen Golfs registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score