Volkswagen Golf Mk5
2003 to 2007
Based on 2 sources, each with its own reference date
No documented known problems found. That does not mean the car is problem free
Key points to know
- Insurance loss
1 result · IIHS/HLDI, data up to and including 2007
Recalls
Our EU Safety Gate feed only goes back to 17 July 2026
We could not check NHTSA for this model
No recall found in EU Safety Gate, checked up to and including 2007
Safety rating
American crash test (NHTSA)
No safety rating found at NHTSA SafetyRatings, checked through 2007
Insurance loss
Compared with the US average. Not a chance of defects
IIHS/HLDI loss index: Golf
According to IIHS/HLDI, the "all coverages combined" loss index for Golf is 126. Basis 100 is the US national average for all passenger cars under this coverage. Note: this is an index figure or rating class, an insurance statistic about the whole model. It is not a chance of defects and not a prediction for this car.
Inspection statistics for these model years
- 15 to 19 years: 377,859 inspections
- 20 to 24 years: 215,573 inspections
15 to 19 years: 377,859 inspections
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 171033 of the 377859 Czech inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 113871 of the 377859 Czech inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 110510 of the 377859 Czech inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 96040 of the 377859 Czech inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Steering
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 48128 of the 377859 Czech inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Show more age groups (1)
20 to 24 years: 215,573 inspections
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 106526 of the 215573 Czech inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 85281 of the 215573 Czech inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 63522 of the 215573 Czech inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 59087 of the 215573 Czech inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Steering
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 36627 of the 215573 Czech inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
- 18 to 20 years: 25,248 inspections
- 21 to 23 years: 14,849 inspections
18 to 20 years: 25,248 inspections
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 11747 of the 25248 British MOT statistics, age 18-20 yr.
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 14917 of the 35193 British MOT statistics, age 18-20 yr.
Show more age groups (1)
21 to 23 years: 14,849 inspections
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 6475 of the 14849 British MOT statistics, age 21-23 yr.
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 8022 of the 18882 British MOT statistics, age 21-23 yr.
- 15 to 19 years: 25,790 inspections
- 20 to 24 years: 13,136 inspections
15 to 19 years: 25,790 inspections
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 6772 of the 25790 Dutch inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 5273 of the 25790 Dutch inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 2819 of the 25790 Dutch inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 2290 of the 25790 Dutch inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Steering
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1194 of the 25790 Dutch inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Show more age groups (1)
20 to 24 years: 13,136 inspections
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 3232 of the 13136 Dutch inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 3118 of the 13136 Dutch inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1735 of the 13136 Dutch inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1693 of the 13136 Dutch inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Steering
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 867 of the 13136 Dutch inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
- 15 to 19 years: 7,550 inspections
- 20 to 24 years: 2,808 inspections
15 to 19 years: 7,550 inspections
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 2897 of the 7550 Norwegian inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 2829 of the 7550 Norwegian inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 2459 of the 7550 Norwegian inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1915 of the 7550 Norwegian inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Nuisance
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 783 of the 7550 Norwegian inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Show more age groups (1)
20 to 24 years: 2,808 inspections
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1432 of the 2808 Norwegian inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1076 of the 2808 Norwegian inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels, tyres, suspension
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 1002 of the 2808 Norwegian inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Chassis and chassis attachments
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 941 of the 2808 Norwegian inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Nuisance
Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 536 of the 2808 Norwegian inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
- 15 to 19 years: 19,489 inspections
- 20 to 24 years: 4,209 inspections
15 to 19 years: 19,489 inspections
Official inspection point: Lighting and electrical equipment
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 8404 fail items across 19489 Finnish inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Chassis and body
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 6573 fail items across 19489 Finnish inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels and suspension
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 5475 fail items across 19489 Finnish inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking systems
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 4309 fail items across 19489 Finnish inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Environmental nuisance
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 3339 fail items across 19489 Finnish inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Show more age groups (1)
20 to 24 years: 4,209 inspections
Official inspection point: Lighting and electrical equipment
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 2229 fail items across 4209 Finnish inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Chassis and body
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 1808 fail items across 4209 Finnish inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking systems
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 1470 fail items across 4209 Finnish inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Axles, wheels and suspension
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 1388 fail items across 4209 Finnish inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Environmental nuisance
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 1087 fail items across 4209 Finnish inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
- 15 to 19 years: 24,713 inspections
- 20 to 24 years: 4,382 inspections
15 to 19 years: 24,713 inspections
Official inspection point: Steering, suspension, wheels and tyres
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 15514 fail items across 24713 Irish inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 8568 fail items across 24713 Irish inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 7639 fail items across 24713 Irish inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Steering
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 6956 fail items across 24713 Irish inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Official inspection point: Nuisance
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 6618 fail items across 24713 Irish inspection data, age 15-19 yr.
Show more age groups (1)
20 to 24 years: 4,382 inspections
Official inspection point: Steering, suspension, wheels and tyres
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 2818 fail items across 4382 Irish inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Lighting equipment and parts of the electrical system
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 2116 fail items across 4382 Irish inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Braking equipment
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 1898 fail items across 4382 Irish inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Nuisance
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 1451 fail items across 4382 Irish inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
Official inspection point: Steering
Note: these are fail items, not tests. One car can fail on several items in the same test. This figure can therefore be higher than the share of cars that failed. 1356 fail items across 4382 Irish inspection data, age 20-24 yr.
See the inspection statistics for all generations of Golf
Go to GolfInspections by country and age
This table shows, per age, how many cars of this model fail inspection, by country. An index of 100 is that country's average for that age.
| Age | Netherlands | United Kingdom | Czechia | Ireland | NO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15-19 years | 47.9% failed (12349 of 25790) | 41.1% failed (71286 of 173441) | 9% failed (1869 of 20818) | 69.7% failed (17223 of 24713) | 67.3% failed (5080 of 7550) |
| 20-24 years | 51.2% failed (6730 of 13136) | 43% failed (14497 of 33731) | 11.3% failed (2257 of 20025) | No data | No data |
Czechia only counts serious defects, severity B or C. The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Norway count every inspection with a real defect.
Finland is not in this table. Finland counts defect points, not cars with a defect.
Buyer knowledge and checklist
Before you buy: the inspection requirement in this country, plus a checklist for the test drive.
Periodic inspection: MOT: annually
Read the guideFrequently asked questions
What are the known problems with a Volkswagen Golf Mk5?
Insurance loss: 1 result (IIHS/HLDI, data up to and including 2007). Each point is worked out below with its source and reference date.
Which defects are found most often at inspection for a Volkswagen Golf?
Official item from DVSA MOT-statistiek. Note: this is a share of the cars tested in this age band. It is not a chance of defects and predicts nothing for this car. 11747 of the 25248 British MOT statistics, age 18-20 yr. DVSA MOT-statistiek, data up to and including 2025. More age groups and categories are available in the inspection statistics on this page.
Where does this data come from?
CZ STK (data up to and including 03/07/2026), DVSA MOT-statistiek (data up to and including 2025), NHTSA Manufacturer Communications (data up to and including 2007), IIHS/HLDI (data up to and including 2007), GDV Typklassenverzeichnis (data up to and including 2024), Dutch inspection data (data up to and including 03/09/2026), Norwegian inspection data (data up to and including 31/12/2025), Finnish inspection data (data up to and including 31/12/2025), Irish inspection data (data up to and including 31/12/2025). Every fact here has its own source and reference date.