Volkswagen Phaeton MOT pass rate and common problems
84.2% of 1,566 Volkswagen Phaeton MOT tests pass.
The Phaeton passes its MOT 84.2% of the time — well above the average across all Volkswagen models, which sits at 79.0%.
The Volkswagen Phaeton has a pass rate of 84.2%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Volkswagen Phaeton?
This is the average across every Volkswagen Phaeton 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 declines noticeably with age, from 91.7% at 6–10 years to 83.3% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | 91.7% | 36 | 111,532 miles |
| 10–15 years | 84.6% | 891 | 106,420 miles |
| 15+ years | 83.3% | 639 | 117,778 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volkswagen Phaeton
The most common reason the Volkswagen Phaeton fails its MOT is brakes — present in 52.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Efficiency below requirements".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 52.2% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Tyres | 30.4% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 29.7% | Not working |
| Suspension | 21.8% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Visibility | 13.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.1% | Cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |
| Steering | 4.1% | Leaking |
| Identification of the vehicle | 4.1% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.4% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Volkswagen Phaeton: what to check
These checks follow the Volkswagen Phaeton’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 Phaeton comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 91.7% to 84.6%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 93.7% down to 87.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 52.2% of failed Volkswagen Phaeton MOTs.
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.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 30.4% of failed Volkswagen Phaeton MOTs. 8.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 2.8% at 6–10 years.
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.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 29.7% of failed Volkswagen Phaeton MOTs. 5.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.8% at 6–10 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.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 21.8% of failed Volkswagen Phaeton MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.7% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
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.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 13.7% of failed Volkswagen Phaeton MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
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 E-Up — 94.0% pass rate
- Volkswagen California Ocean — 93.4% pass rate
- Volkswagen Multivan — 85.9% pass rate
- Volkswagen Golf Clubsport — 94.9% pass rate
- Volkswagen Tiguan R — 92.9% pass rate
- Volkswagen Caddy Maxi — 85.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Phaeton?
- 84.2% of Volkswagen Phaeton MOT tests pass, based on 1,566 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volkswagen Phaeton?
- The most common reason the Volkswagen Phaeton fails its MOT is brakes — present in 52.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Efficiency below requirements".
- What are the common problems with the Volkswagen Phaeton?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volkswagen Phaeton are brakes; tyres; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Volkswagen Phaeton?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; tyres; lights and electrics; suspension; windscreen and wipers. 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 Phaeton'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.