Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate and common problems
76.9% of 277,701 Volkswagen Passat MOT tests pass.
At 76.9%, the Passat passes slightly less often than the average across all Volkswagen models (79.0%).
At 76.9%, the Volkswagen Passat passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Volkswagen Passat?
This is the average across every Volkswagen Passat in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Volkswagen’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Volkswagen Passat tested at 0–3 years pass 89.4% of the time, compared with just 67.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 89.4% | 4,486 | 44,116 miles |
| 3–6 years | 89.8% | 32,439 | 62,394 miles |
| 6–10 years | 83.9% | 82,240 | 103,609 miles |
| 10–15 years | 72.3% | 96,669 | 136,152 miles |
| 15+ years | 67.1% | 61,867 | 153,077 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volkswagen Passat
The most common reason the Volkswagen Passat fails its MOT is suspension — present in 51.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 51.2% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 35.8% | Not working |
| Tyres | 34.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 24.1% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Body, chassis, structure | 14.6% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.8% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 9.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.7% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 2.9% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Road Wheels | 1.5% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Volkswagen Passat: what to check
These checks follow the Volkswagen Passat’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Volkswagen Passat comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 83.9% to 72.3%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 82.5% down to 75.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 51.2% of failed Volkswagen Passat MOTs. 21.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 1.4% at 0–3 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 35.8% of failed Volkswagen Passat MOTs. 19.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.2% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 34.7% of failed Volkswagen Passat MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 24.1% of failed Volkswagen Passat MOTs. 13.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 1.6% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 14.6% of failed Volkswagen Passat MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 12.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Volkswagen service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Volkswagen models
- Volkswagen Polo — 74.5% pass rate
- Volkswagen Transporter — 74.6% pass rate
- Volkswagen Tiguan — 86.7% pass rate
- Volkswagen Caddy — 76.6% pass rate
- Volkswagen Up — 85.4% pass rate
- Volkswagen T-Roc — 93.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Passat?
- 76.9% of Volkswagen Passat MOT tests pass, based on 277,701 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volkswagen Passat?
- The most common reason the Volkswagen Passat fails its MOT is suspension — present in 51.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the Volkswagen Passat?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volkswagen Passat are suspension; lights and electrics; tyres. 21.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 1.4% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Volkswagen Passat?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; tyres; brakes; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Volkswagen Passat's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Volkswagen service history guide for how to check and keep one.