Volkswagen Golf TDI S (2006)
2006 Volkswagen Golf TDI S
CarHunch analysed 519 real MOT records for the 2006 Volkswagen Golf TDI S.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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This 2006 Golf TDI S has a first-time pass rate of 62.3%, significantly below the UK average of 80%, signalling that reliability is a genuine concern for this model year. The good news is that dangerous defects are essentially absent (0%), so while these cars need more repairs than average, they're not safety nightmares.
At 156,000 miles median, these Golfs have racked up typical mileage for their age, and the 1.17 average failures per vehicle tells you that wear items and minor mechanical issues are the norm rather than exceptions. Before buying one, budget for regular maintenance and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the turbo, fuel system, and gearbox, as these are where TDI owners commonly see bills.
The 2006 Volkswagen Golf TDI S passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (77.1%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.
These stats describe 519 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 519 Volkswagen Golf TDI S cars.
Before you buy a 2006 Volkswagen Golf TDI S
Based on MOT data from 519 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded -
recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle. -
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Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price.
Inspection
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Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically.
History
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (99%) | 516 | 77% | 1.17 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 3,171 Volkswagen Golf TDI S vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 Volkswagen Golf TDI S vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2006 Volkswagen Golf TDI S vehicles fall between 133,506 and 179,348 miles.
2006 Volkswagen Golf TDI S — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 25% of 2006 Volkswagen Golf TDI Ss are still active.
Numbers are declining — 98 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (25% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.
MOT History Averages
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Compare with another model
See how the 2006 Volkswagen Golf TDI S stacks up against a rival.