Part of the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2013–2020) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2013 Volkswagen Golf: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volkswagen Golf first registered in 2013: we looked at the 164,398 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

164,398MOTs of 2013 cars, done in 2023–2025
76%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 67%)
8,200typical miles a year
3.7×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Volkswagen Golf?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Volkswagen Golf than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Shock absorbers3.7× usual
    Volkswagen Golf
    20.1% All 2013 cars
    5.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.2% of all 2013 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

Rigid brake pipes: 0.1% here, against 4.1% of all 2013 cars. Track rod ends: 0.3% here, against 4.3% of all 2013 cars.

Common 2013 Volkswagen Golf MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Volkswagen Golf MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    31% 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
    31% 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
    23% 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
    12% 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
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    4% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2013 Volkswagen Golf

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.

  • Coolant leaks from the water pump housing

    TSI petrol

    The plastic water pump and thermostat housing on these petrol engines can weep coolant.

    At the viewing: Look around the engine for dried pink or white crust, and check the coolant level isn’t low.

    If it needs doing: Water pump, about £115–£375. ClickMechanic

    Source: Haynes: VW Golf Mk7.5 common faults

  • DSG automatic judder

    DSG automatic only

    DSG gearboxes can judder or hesitate when pulling away.

    At the viewing: If it’s an automatic, pull away gently several times and drive in stop-start traffic. Ask for proof of gearbox oil changes.

    Source: Haynes: VW Golf Mk7.5 common faults

  • Blocked particulate filter (diesel)

    TDI diesel

    Diesels used mostly for short trips can clog the particulate filter and EGR valve, leading to warning lights and limp mode.

    At the viewing: Ask what journeys the car does. Watch for DPF or engine warning lights on the drive.

    If it needs doing: DPF clean or regeneration, about £160–£500. ClickMechanic

    Source: Haynes: VW Golf Mk7.5 common faults

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Volkswagen Golf

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. What kind of journeys has the car mostly done? Any DPF warning lights?
  2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2013 Volkswagen Golf as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen Golf?

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

Other years

Every year of the Volkswagen Golf compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
20231,028Tyres 14%
202226,628Tyres 27%
202157,771Tyres 27%
2020118,413Tyres 26%
2019158,305Tyres 26%
2018183,093Tyres 28%
2017208,070Tyres 28%
2016194,087Tyres 28%
2015201,242Tyres 29%
2014191,987Tyres 30%
2012155,442Suspension 39%
2011150,968Suspension 46%
2010134,448Suspension 49%
2009131,692Suspension 47%
2008120,654Suspension 48%
2007120,598Suspension 49%
200688,396Suspension 49%
200560,414Suspension 49%
200438,578Suspension 52%
200349,876Suspension 50%
200242,606Suspension 48%
200124,107Suspension 48%
200013,522Suspension 49%
19998,175Suspension 49%
19983,758Suspension 44%
19972,891Suspension 37%
19962,765Brakes 39%
19951,455Brakes 39%
1994842Brakes 37%
1993805Brakes 31%
19921,710Lights and electrics 28%
19914,954Lights and electrics 26%
19904,834Lights and electrics 28%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1977–Too few tests
1976–Too few tests
1975–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volkswagen Golf cars first registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score