Part of the Volkswagen Golf Mk6 (2009–2012) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2012 Volkswagen Golf diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Volkswagen Golf first registered in 2012 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 106,588 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

106,588MOTs of 2012 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
66%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)
9,000typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Volkswagen Golf diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Volkswagen Golf diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Shock absorbers2.4× usual
    Volkswagen Golf
    14% All 2012 cars
    5.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.6% of all 2012 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.8× usual
    Volkswagen Golf
    8.4% All 2012 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

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

  • Braking performance1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Golf
    8.2% All 2012 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Link ball joint covers2.4× usual
    Volkswagen Golf
    4.8% All 2012 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

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

  • Suspension arm2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Golf
    4% All 2012 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

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

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.3% here, against 5% of all 2012 cars. Number plate lights: 2.3% here, against 6.7% of all 2012 cars.

Common 2012 Volkswagen Golf diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Volkswagen Golf diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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
    28% 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
    16% 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
    8% 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
    6% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Known faults on the 2012 Volkswagen Golf diesel

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.

  • Alarm that goes off by itself

    All engines

    The alarm can be temperamental. A dealer software update usually fixes it.

    At the viewing: Lock the car and leave it a few minutes during the viewing.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Golf Mk6 buyer's guide

  • Phone won't pair (early cars)

    All engines

    Some early Bluetooth systems don't recognise many phones, and the fix can cost around £500.

    At the viewing: Pair your own phone.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Golf Mk6 buyer's guide

  • Creaks from the front suspension

    All engines

    Dried-out suspension bushes creak over bumps, more in warm weather.

    At the viewing: Listen over speed bumps with the window down.

    Source: Auto Express: used VW Golf Mk6 buyer's guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Volkswagen Golf diesel

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

  1. Has the alarm been fixed or updated?
  2. Does Bluetooth work with modern phones?
  3. Have the suspension bushes been replaced?
  4. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Golf diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Golf diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Golf diesel as on other cars the same age.)

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
20231,017Tyres 14%
202226,616Tyres 27%
202157,768Tyres 27%
2020118,390Tyres 26%
2019158,276Tyres 26%
2018183,093Tyres 28%
2017208,069Tyres 28%
2016194,087Tyres 28%
2015201,242Tyres 29%
2014191,987Tyres 30%
2013164,395Tyres 31%
2011150,967Suspension 46%
2010134,446Suspension 49%
2009131,689Suspension 47%
2008120,651Suspension 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%
1994838Brakes 37%
1993783Brakes 30%
19921,687Lights and electrics 28%
19914,953Brakes 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 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score