Known APK problem
Volkswagen Golf V: control arms / ball joints
On the Volkswagen Golf V the APK inspector finds control arms / ball joints problems 90% more often than on cars of the same age: at 16+ years 3.8%, against about 2.0% nationally.
Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026
What is it?
Worn bushes or ball joints in the suspension.
How to check it at the viewing
Listen for clunks or knocks over speed bumps on the test drive. The car should not wander when braking.
Ask the seller: Have the control arms or ball joints been replaced?
By age
Share of inspected Volkswagen Golf Vs with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.
| Age | Type | Golf V | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16+ years | A | 2.1% | 2.6% | 0.8× |
| 16+ years | B | 3.8% | 2.0% | 1.9× |
| 16+ years | C | 0.9% | 4.5% | 0.2× |
A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.
Comparable cars at 16+ years
| Model | Control arms / ball joints | Vs. national |
|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf V | 3.8% | 1.9× |
| Ford Focus II | 2.5% | 0.9× |
| Audi A3 (8P) | 2.7% | 1.0× |
| Volkswagen Golf Plus | 2.4% | 0.9× |
| BMW 1-serie E87 | 0.8% | 0.3× |
| Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse W169 | 3.2% | 1.2× |
Looking at a Volkswagen Golf V? Check that car
Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Volkswagen Golf Vs of the same age.
All weak spots of the Volkswagen Golf V · Control arms / ball joints: which models more often · Checklist for this model
Frequently asked questions
Does the Volkswagen Golf V often have control arms / ball joints problems?
Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 16+ years the inspector found a control arms / ball joints defect on 3.8% of inspected Volkswagen Golf Vs, against about 2.0% of all cars of the same age (1.9×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.
How do you check the control arms / ball joints on a used Volkswagen Golf V?
Listen for clunks or knocks over speed bumps on the test drive. The car should not wander when braking.
Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.
Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know