2021 Volkswagen Golf R-Line TDI S-A MOT pass rate: 90.1% (1,774 tests)
Is the 2021 Golf R-Line TDI S-A getting worse?
Pass rate of 2021-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 89.8% -0.9 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 90.4% +0.2 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 R-Line TDI S-A
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 186 | 66.2% |
| 2 | Visibility | 29 | 10.3% |
| 3 | Brakes | 23 | 8.2% |
| 4 | Suspension | 11 | 3.9% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 8 | 2.8% |
| 6 | Identification of the vehicle | 7 | 2.5% |
All Golf R-Line TDI S-A years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,877 | 89.5% | -0.4 pts | 37,106 |
| 2021 (this page) | 1,774 | 90.1% | -0.3 pts | 35,926 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2021 Volkswagen Golf R-Line TDI S-A reliable?
2021-registered examples passed 90.1% of their MOT tests (1,774 tests, 2023–2025), -0.3 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 5 years old with a median 35,926 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2021 Golf R-Line TDI S-A?
The median tested example shows 35,926 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.