Is the Volkswagen California ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 9,078 MOT tests, around 58% of Volkswagen Californias still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 24% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 18%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 99% diesel. Diesel Californias are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 58%
- Likely charged
- 24%
- Depends on the car
- 18%
- MOT tests analysed
- 9,078
Check a specific California
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
California ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Californias of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel |
|---|---|
| 2020 | Likely compliant650 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant1,274 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant1,103 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant1,278 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant842 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car893 tested |
| 2014 | Check exact car730 tested |
| 2013 | Likely charged598 tested |
| 2012 | Likely charged589 tested |
| 2011 | Likely charged385 tested |
| 2010 | Likely charged337 tested |
| 2008 | Likely charged77 tested |
| 2007 | Likely charged50 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the California
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (99% of Californias tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
Californias from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (18% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Volkswagen can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Californias fare at the MOT too: see the Volkswagen California MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Volkswagen California for London: what the MOT data shows
The Volkswagen Californias in this data were first registered between 2007 and 2020. 2017 was the most common year, with 1,293 tests (15% of the total), and half were registered in 2016 or later.
Californias from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 87% of the time, at an average of 33,969 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 75% of the time with 70,944 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel Californias likely to comply are from 2016. 842 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 82% of the time and averaged 47,435 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the California's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were suspension: "fractured or broken" (3.2% of tests); tyres: "has ply or cords exposed" (1.8%) and "has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords" (1.6%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 11.9% of tests.
Overall, 82% of Californias passed first time, well above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 48,115 miles on average, fewer than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Volkswagen models
About this data
Based on 9,078 first MOT tests of the Volkswagen California 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.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 9,078 MOT tests say about the Volkswagen California and London's ULEZ.
Is the Volkswagen California ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 58% of Californias on the road are likely compliant and 24% likely to be charged. Diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Is a diesel California ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Californias from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific California is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.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
- Buying a used car · 7 min readHow to read a car's MOT history before buying a used carThe MOT history is the only part of a used car's story the seller didn't write. A 10-minute method for reading it before you go to see the car.Read the guide
Is your California ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.