Volkswagen Golf (2016)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 118,229 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,644

£137/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£170

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Diesel

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1,644/year to run. 8 points above average.

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Diesel1598cc10 years old118,229 tests68k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1598cc)

~55 mpg

£1,219

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£170

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,644

Per month£137/mo

Per week£32/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.

90% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Golfs from 2016 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 8 years old. That's based on 118,229 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 68,321 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 models166th of 539(top half)

Rank among Volkswagen models424th of 1,086(top half)

vs average of all models+8%(82% avg)

vs 2016 models average+5%(85% avg)

vs Volkswagen average+5%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

68,321

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2016 Volkswagen Golf had 68,321 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2016 scores 90%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Volkswagen Golf by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2024	100%	42	48,967 mi
2023	96%	94	37,883 mi
2022	100%	50	24,291 mi
2021	92%	430	30,210 mi
2020	94%	15,098	33,191 mi
2019	92%	89,653	42,263 mi
2018	92%	111,972	51,770 mi
2017	91%	127,682	59,928 mi
2016	90%	118,229	68,321 mi
2015	89%	121,777	77,151 mi
2014	87%	120,417	87,379 mi
2013	85%	103,434	93,359 mi
2012	80%	98,183	101,911 mi
2011	78%	97,916	110,696 mi
2010	77%	87,733	116,406 mi
2009	77%	85,462	116,549 mi
2008	74%	79,283	127,518 mi
2007	73%	80,988	126,210 mi
2006	72%	60,321	126,470 mi
2005	72%	41,401	129,877 mi
2004	69%	25,662	127,809 mi
2003	73%	31,803	140,305 mi
2002	73%	27,474	142,659 mi
2001	72%	15,315	133,140 mi
2000	72%	8,316	132,299 mi
1999	71%	8,442	127,276 mi
1998	71%	4,066	117,658 mi
1997	74%	3,130	113,175 mi
1996	74%	2,930	115,178 mi
1995	75%	1,612	108,721 mi
1994	76%	946	104,165 mi
1993	76%	834	105,417 mi
1992	77%	1,734	123,399 mi
1991	80%	5,191	134,589 mi
1990	77%	5,156	130,503 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Astra

2014 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,944/year

79%

-11%

Ford Focus

2018 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,824/year

89%

-1%

Mercedes A-Class

2017 · 1461cc Diesel

£1,824/year

88%

-2%

Volkswagen Polo

2014 · 1199cc Diesel

£1,644/year

80%

-10%

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About the 2016 Volkswagen Golf

The 2016 Volkswagen Golf is a small family car. Our records list a 1598cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 118,229 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 68,321 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Golf owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2016 Volkswagen Golf Fuel Costs

The 1598cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,219 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2016 Volkswagen Golf?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,644 (£137/month), broken down as £1,219 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Volkswagen Golf Reliability Trend

Newer Volkswagen Golfs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 10 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2016 Volkswagen Golf

At 10 years old, the Volkswagen Golf is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. With 118,229 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2016 Volkswagen Golf Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 10,302 MOT tests on the 2016 Volkswagen Golf that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Tyres38%
Same age: 26% (fails on this more often)
Suspension25%
Same age: 29%
Lights and electrics20%
Same age: 30% (fails on this less often)
Brakes17%
Same age: 20%

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Volkswagen Golf reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2016 Volkswagen Golf stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Volkswagen Golf(2016)	90%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£1,644
Vauxhall Astra(2014)	79%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£1,944+£300
Ford Focus(2018)	89%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824+£180
Mercedes A-Class(2017)	88%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824+£180
Volkswagen Polo(2014)	80%	£1,219	£20	Grp 5-15	£1,644same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2016 Volkswagen Golf

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Golf reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of MOT tests on 2016 Volkswagen Golfs ended in a pass, from 118,229 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2016 Volkswagen Golf cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,644 a year (£137 a month): £1,219 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 Volkswagen Golf?

90% of 118,229 MOT tests on the 2016 Volkswagen Golf ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 166th of 539 models first registered in 2016 (top half).

Which year Volkswagen Golf has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 2004 the lowest at 69%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2016 Volkswagen Golf?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2016 Volkswagen Golf is 68,321 miles, which is in line with the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.