Used car guide

2022 Volkswagen Golf Active Etsi S-A: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2022 Volkswagen Golf Active Etsi S-As, from 550 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

550MOT tests in 2025
93%pass first time (all 2022 cars: 89%)
7,700typical miles a year
5.8×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2022 Volkswagen Golf Active Etsi S-As than on all cars registered in 2022.

  • Shock absorbers5.8× usual
    Volkswagen Golf Active Etsi S-A
    6.9% All 2022 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2022 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.

By area

The share of 2022 Volkswagen Golf Active Etsi S-A MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    26% 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
    7% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    3% 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
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Brakes
    1% 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
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Software glitches
    All engines

    The most common complaint: engine cut-outs, false safety warnings, phone pairing and keyless entry problems. Big updates need a dealer.

    At the viewing: Drive it long enough for the screens and driver aids to settle, and check for warnings.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Golf Mk8 buyer's guide

  • eHybrid fuel use
    eHybrid plug-in

    If the plug-in hybrid isn't charged often, real economy is about 50mpg, far below the official figure.

    At the viewing: Ask how it was charged and check the charging cable is there.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Golf Mk8 buyer's guide

Looking at a Volkswagen Golf Active Etsi S-A?

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

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2022 Volkswagen Golf Active Etsi S-As registered in 2022. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score