Volkswagen Passat: what fails at MOT
248,000 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Passat in 2024, counted. 27.2% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
27.2% of Volkswagen Passat tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.9%, so the Passat is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (7.8% of tests), tyres (6% of tests) and lights and electrics (5.6% of tests). It fails on tyres more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,486 | 12.3% | 10.9% | 43,200 29,600 to 60,100 |
| 2020 | 9,082 | 10.7% | 11.5% | 46,900 32,800 to 65,300 |
| 2019 | 10,125 | 12.7% | 13.4% | 56,600 40,100 to 80,100 |
| 2018 | 14,586 | 13.4% | 15.6% | 71,800 52,600 to 98,200 |
| 2017 | 19,371 | 16.6% | 18.2% | 83,700 61,200 to 112,300 |
| 2016 | 20,627 | 19.0% | 21.3% | 95,100 71,700 to 126,200 |
| 2015 | 21,146 | 20.7% | 24.4% | 106,500 80,800 to 138,600 |
| 2014 | 20,245 | 27.0% | 27.7% | 109,700 83,300 to 144,800 |
| 2013 | 16,633 | 30.5% | 30.6% | 119,300 91,900 to 152,200 |
| 2012 | 18,614 | 32.9% | 33.4% | 130,400 102,800 to 162,900 |
| 2011 | 22,468 | 34.1% | 36.1% | 139,300 112,800 to 170,100 |
| 2010 | 15,485 | 36.0% | 38.6% | 139,500 112,000 to 169,700 |
| 2009 | 15,597 | 35.0% | 39.8% | 139,500 111,100 to 168,500 |
| 2008 | 12,530 | 38.5% | 41.5% | 147,200 119,000 to 175,800 |
| 2007 | 10,577 | 40.6% | 41.5% | 150,100 123,400 to 179,700 |
| 2006 | 6,857 | 42.7% | 42.4% | 151,000 122,300 to 179,400 |
| 2005 | 4,722 | 41.6% | 42.2% | 153,200 122,900 to 186,100 |
| 2004 | 3,876 | 40.8% | 42.3% | 158,400 125,000 to 194,200 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volkswagen Passat tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Passat | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 7.8% | 6.8% |
| Tyres More than most | 6.0% | 4.4% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 5.6% | 8.1% |
| Brakes Less than most | 3.5% | 4.9% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.5% | 2.3% |
| Body and structure | 2.5% | 2.5% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.8% | 3.2% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.1% | 0.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.8%
- Tyre tread2.5%
- Headlamp aim2.3%
- Coil spring2.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.0%
- Engine warning light1.9%
- Brake pads1.5%
- Shock absorbers1.5%
- Driveshaft joint1.3%
- Headlamp1.1%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.2%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed2.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.9%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.9%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.4%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.3%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.1%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.0%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge16.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement9.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin6.2%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil4.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.1%
- Coil spring: corroded2.9%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened2.7%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Volkswagen Passat's own MOT record
Looking at a Passat? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.