Is the Volkswagen Passat ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 206,114 MOT tests, around 29% of Volkswagen Passats still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 54% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 17%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 91% diesel, 7% petrol. Diesel Passats are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Petrol Passats are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 29%
- Likely charged
- 54%
- Depends on the car
- 17%
- MOT tests analysed
- 206,114
Check a specific Passat
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Passat ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Passats of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid (petrol) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Likely compliant3 tested | Likely compliant1 tested | Likely compliant46 tested |
| 2021 | Likely compliant172 tested | Likely compliant14 tested | Likely compliant36 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant3,855 tested | Likely compliant1,239 tested | Likely compliant963 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant5,138 tested | Likely compliant2,391 tested | Likely compliant286 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant7,622 tested | Likely compliant1,979 tested | Likely compliant1,648 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant12,344 tested | Likely compliant551 tested | Likely compliant1,418 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant15,436 tested | Likely compliant8 tested | Likely compliant170 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car16,308 tested | Likely compliant15 tested | – |
| 2014 | Check exact car15,427 tested | Likely compliant138 tested | – |
| 2013 | Likely charged12,650 tested | Likely compliant172 tested | – |
| 2012 | Likely charged14,697 tested | Likely compliant297 tested | – |
| 2011 | Likely charged17,332 tested | Likely compliant401 tested | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged12,218 tested | Likely compliant377 tested | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged12,189 tested | Likely compliant942 tested | – |
| 2008 | Likely charged10,978 tested | Likely compliant599 tested | – |
| 2007 | Likely charged10,016 tested | Likely compliant474 tested | – |
| 2006 | Likely charged6,448 tested | Likely compliant834 tested | – |
| 2005 | Likely charged4,715 tested | Check Euro standard502 tested | – |
| 2004 | Likely charged3,702 tested | Check Euro standard437 tested | – |
| 2003 | Likely charged2,899 tested | Check Euro standard570 tested | – |
| 2002 | Likely charged1,532 tested | Check Euro standard720 tested | – |
| 2001 | Likely charged805 tested | Check Euro standard496 tested | – |
| 2000 | Likely charged320 tested | Likely charged285 tested | – |
| 1999 | Likely charged288 tested | Likely charged217 tested | – |
| 1998 | Likely charged184 tested | Likely charged171 tested | – |
| 1997 | Likely charged65 tested | Likely charged49 tested | – |
| 1996 | Likely charged29 tested | Likely charged33 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Passat
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (91% of Passats tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (7% of Passats tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Hybrid (petrol) (2% of Passats tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
Passats from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (17% 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 Passats fare at the MOT too: see the Volkswagen Passat MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Volkswagen Passat for London: what the MOT data shows
The Volkswagen Passats in this data were first registered between 1996 and 2023. 2011 was the most common year, with 17,733 tests (9% of the total), and half were registered in 2012 or later.
Passats from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 83% of the time, at an average of 77,278 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 63% of the time with 140,130 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 Passats likely to comply are from 2016. 15,436 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 81% of the time and averaged 93,927 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol Passats likely to comply are from 2006. 834 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 57% of the time and averaged 150,426 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Passat's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were suspension: "fractured or broken" (3.6% of tests); lights and electrics: "not working" (3.5%); tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (3.4%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 21.0% of tests.
Overall, 71% of Passats passed first time, roughly in line with the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 117,124 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Volkswagen models
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.
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 206,114 MOT tests say about the Volkswagen Passat and London's ULEZ.
Is the Volkswagen Passat ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 29% of Passats on the road are likely compliant and 54% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol Passat years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol Passats first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel Passat ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Passats from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Passat 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
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- 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 Passat ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.