Volkswagen Passat years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year
No Volkswagen Passat year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 2004–2005 and 2007–2020. The other 5 years can't be told apart from average.
- Below the average for their first-use yearNone
- Above the average for their first-use year2004–2005 and 2007–2020
- Can't be told apart from average2002–2003, 2006 and 2021–2022
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 71.4% to 71.8%.
In 2025, 71.6% of the 173,804 initial MOT tests on Volkswagen Passat cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 68.9%. That is 2.7 points above the same-age average.
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Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022age 3 | 2,48242,200 | 87.3%±1.4 | −1.2 ptsall: 88.5% | |
| 2021age 4 | 3,66755,500 | 87.9%±1.1 | +0.7 ptsall: 87.2% | |
| 2020age 5 | 5,81758,300 | 88.4%±0.9 | +2.4 ptsall: 86.0% | |
| 2019age 6 | 7,32367,300 | 86.1%±0.9 | +2.6 ptsall: 83.5% | |
| 2018age 7 | 10,77881,900 | 84.1%±0.8 | +3.2 ptsall: 80.9% | |
| 2017age 8 | 13,87693,900 | 81.0%±0.7 | +2.8 ptsall: 78.2% | |
| 2016age 9 | 14,939105,400 | 79.4%±0.7 | +4.5 ptsall: 74.9% | |
| 2015age 10 | 15,204115,100 | 76.9%±0.7 | +5.0 ptsall: 71.9% | |
| 2014age 11 | 14,501116,300 | 69.4%±0.8 | +0.8 ptsall: 68.6% | |
| 2013age 12 | 11,647126,100 | 67.1%±0.9 | +1.3 ptsall: 65.8% | |
| 2012age 13 | 13,136136,600 | 64.7%±0.9 | +1.2 ptsall: 63.5% | |
| 2011age 14 | 15,033144,800 | 64.4%±0.8 | +3.2 ptsall: 61.2% | |
| 2010age 15 | 9,889142,700 | 62.8%±1.0 | +3.5 ptsall: 59.3% | |
| 2009age 16 | 9,520141,400 | 62.6%±1.0 | +4.3 ptsall: 58.3% | |
| 2008age 17 | 7,419148,300 | 60.7%±1.2 | +3.5 ptsall: 57.2% | |
| 2007age 18 | 5,975150,900 | 59.0%±1.3 | +1.6 ptsall: 57.4% | |
| 2006age 19 | 3,890151,300 | 57.1%±1.6 | +0.1 ptsall: 57.0% | |
| 2005age 20 | 2,912155,300 | 60.8%±1.8 | +3.2 ptsall: 57.6% | |
| 2004age 21 | 2,389159,200 | 60.3%±2.0 | +2.5 ptsall: 57.8% | |
| 2003age 22 | 2,091160,200 | 59.3%±2.2 | +0.6 ptsall: 58.7% | |
| 2002age 23 | 1,316155,200 | 61.2%±2.7 | +1.7 ptsall: 59.5% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upCommon Passat problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.
What to check when viewing a Passat
Suspension
- Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.
Tyres
- Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
- Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
- Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.
Brakes
- On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.
Check a Passat's MOT historyAfter an MOT advisory
Tyres
Of Volkswagen Passat cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 10.3% failed on tyres, against 6.2% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 23,619 and 68,315 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 16.8% of those with a tyre advisory and 15.3% of the others.
Brakes
Of Volkswagen Passat cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 6.7% failed on brakes, against 3.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 17,614 and 74,310 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 17.8% of those with a brake advisory and 15.2% of the others.
Suspension
Of Volkswagen Passat cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 17.2% failed on suspension, against 11.5% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 20,482 and 70,833 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 20.1% of those with a suspension advisory and 14.3% of the others.
Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.
How we worked this outVolkswagen Passat questions
Which Volkswagen Passat years have lower MOT pass rates?
Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2004–2005 and 2007–2020. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.
Is the Volkswagen Passat reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 71.6% of initial MOT tests on Volkswagen Passat cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 68.9%. That is 2.7 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What are the most common Volkswagen Passat problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are suspension (in 42.9% of failed tests), lights and electrics (in 29.6% of failed tests) and tyres (in 29.3% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Volkswagen Passat?
At their 2025 MOT tests, Volkswagen Passat cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 115,100 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific Passat's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any Volkswagen Passat
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther Volkswagen models
- Volkswagen Golf+4.8 pts against the same-age average
- Volkswagen Polo−3.1 pts against the same-age average
- Volkswagen Transporter−1.9 pts against the same-age average
- Volkswagen Tiguan+4.0 pts against the same-age average
- Volkswagen Caddy−2.5 pts against the same-age average
- Volkswagen Up+6.4 pts against the same-age average
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
All 24 Volkswagen modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Volkswagen Passat cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count