2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI TSI S-A MOT pass rate: 91.3% (3,639 tests)
Is the 2021 Golf GTI TSI S-A getting worse?
Pass rate of 2021-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 91.8% +1.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 90.8% +0.6 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2021 Golf GTI TSI S-A
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 302 | 59.2% |
| 2 | Brakes | 52 | 10.2% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 43 | 8.4% |
| 4 | Visibility | 30 | 5.9% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 19 | 3.7% |
| 6 | Road Wheels | 16 | 3.1% |
All Golf GTI TSI S-A years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2,623 | 92.7% | +2.8 pts | 30,705 |
| 2021 (this page) | 3,639 | 91.3% | +0.9 pts | 28,984 |
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FAQs
Is a 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI TSI S-A reliable?
2021-registered examples passed 91.3% of their MOT tests (3,639 tests, 2023–2025), +0.9 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 5 years old with a median 28,984 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2021 Golf GTI TSI S-A?
The median tested example shows 28,984 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.