Volkswagen Passat MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 206,114 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Passat carried out in 2023. 29% failed at the first attempt, which is roughly in line with the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 Passats passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1996 to 2023. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2009 models did best (63% passed, +3.7 points against the average for 14-year-old cars), while 2000 models fared worst (54%, −6.3 points). Tested cars had covered 117,124 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was suspension, found on 11.4% of tests (slightly above the 8.9% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "fractured or broken", on 3.6% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 206,114
- First-time pass rate
- 71%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −0.8 points
- Average mileage at test
- 117,124
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Passat?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Passat MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 50 | 98% | 98% | +0.2 points | 5,790 |
| 2021 | 222 | 92% | 91% | +1.0 points | 44,963 |
| 2020 | 6,057 | 87% | 88% | −0.8 points | 39,625 |
| 2019 | 7,815 | 86% | 86% | −0.2 points | 51,829 |
| 2018 | 11,249 | 86% | 84% | +1.3 points | 65,848 |
| 2017 | 14,313 | 84% | 82% | +2.0 points | 79,873 |
| 2016 | 15,614 | 81% | 79% | +2.5 points | 93,927 |
| 2015 | 16,323 | 79% | 75% | +3.6 points | 104,308 |
| 2014 | 15,565 | 73% | 72% | +0.9 points | 110,569 |
| 2013 | 12,822 | 70% | 68% | +2.2 points | 119,579 |
| 2012 | 14,994 | 67% | 66% | +1.6 points | 130,780 |
| 2011 | 17,733 | 66% | 63% | +2.7 points | 138,235 |
| 2010 | 12,596 | 63% | 60% | +2.7 points | 137,908 |
| 2009 | 13,133 | 63% | 59% | +3.7 points | 138,439 |
| 2008 | 11,578 | 61% | 57% | +3.6 points | 145,198 |
| 2007 | 10,490 | 59% | 57% | +2.3 points | 149,157 |
| 2006 | 7,284 | 57% | 56% | +0.5 points | 150,426 |
| 2005 | 5,218 | 58% | 56% | +2.0 points | 153,651 |
| 2004 | 4,141 | 58% | 56% | +1.9 points | 159,058 |
| 2003 | 3,471 | 57% | 57% | +0.6 points | 159,753 |
| 2002 | 2,253 | 57% | 58% | −0.2 points | 158,840 |
| 2001 | 1,304 | 57% | 59% | −2.1 points | 157,700 |
| 2000 | 606 | 54% | 61% | −6.3 points | 159,139 |
| 1999 | 505 | 58% | 62% | −4.9 points | 168,390 |
| 1998 | 355 | 58% | 64% | −5.9 points | 154,660 |
| 1997 | 115 | 60% | 64% | −4.5 points | 151,170 |
| 1996 | 62 | 61% | 65% | −3.9 points | 136,297 |
Why the Volkswagen Passat fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Passat | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 11.4% | 8.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 9.0% | 11.3% |
| Tyres | 8.7% | 6.3% |
| Brakes | 5.4% | 6.8% |
| Body and structure | 4.2% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.9% | 3.1% |
| Visibility | 2.9% | 4.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.8% | 1.0% |
| Steering | 0.8% | 1.8% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1fractured or broken3.6%
- 2not working3.5%
- 3tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
- 4pin or bush excessively worn3.0%
- 5has ply or cords exposed2.9%
- 6inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.7%
- 7constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.2%
- 8ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.1%
- 9less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
- 10ball joint excessively worn1.9%
Common Passat MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Passat, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 21.0% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 13.2% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 13.1% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.8% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 6.3% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 5.8% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 5.0% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.3% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 4.3% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 4.0% |
Tips to help your Passat pass
Based on where Passats most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 9.0% of Passat tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 5.4% of Passat tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the Passat ULEZ compliant? See the Volkswagen Passat ULEZ check, or view all Volkswagen models.
Other Volkswagen models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 206,114 first MOT tests of the Volkswagen Passat carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 206,114 first MOT tests of the Volkswagen Passat.
What is the Volkswagen Passat MOT failure rate?
In our data, 29% of 206,114 first MOT attempts on the Volkswagen Passat ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Volkswagen Passat fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were suspension (11.4% of tests), lights and electrics (9.0% of tests), tyres (8.7% of tests).
Which Passat year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2009 cars performed best: 63% passed first time, +3.7 points against the average for 14-year-old cars. The weakest was 2000, at 54% (−6.3 points).
How many miles had a typical Volkswagen Passat covered at its MOT?
The average was 117,124 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2023 cars averaged 5,790 miles and 1996 cars 136,297.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Volkswagen Passat?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 21.0% of tests, in the tyres area. 8.7% of Passats failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Passat's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 206,114 Passats in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 54% to 98% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
Check any Passat's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.