Family hatchback · 2001–2021 cars
Volkswagen Jetta reliability
The Volkswagen Jetta fails 35% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 49,478 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volkswagen Jetta before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 35%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 6% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 49,478
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,000
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volkswagen Jetta ages
Each point is the share of Volkswagen Jettas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volkswagen Jetta | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 22% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 21.7% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 24.6% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 26.4% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 28% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 31.7% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 34.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 33.3% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 33.9% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 35.7% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 37.7% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 39.7% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 41.2% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 40.4% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 39.6% | 43.5% |
By year
The best and worst Volkswagen Jetta years
2010 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Jetta | 1,201 | 25.5% | 43% more fails | 46,476 |
| 2016 Jetta | 2,682 | 23.8% | 11% more fails | 57,702 |
| 2015 Jetta | 3,990 | 26.8% | 9% more fails | 65,262 |
| 2014 Jetta | 3,302 | 30.8% | 9% more fails | 78,659 |
| 2013 Jetta | 3,324 | 31.5% | 1% more fails | 83,397 |
| 2012 Jetta | 3,900 | 33.2% | 6% fewer fails | 98,471 |
| 2011 Jetta | 3,205 | 34.4% | 9% fewer fails | 104,452 |
| 2010 Jetta | 2,343 | 33.5% | 14% fewer fails | 103,888 |
| 2009 Jetta | 4,132 | 36% | 13% fewer fails | 109,578 |
| 2008 Jetta | 6,207 | 39.2% | 10% fewer fails | 125,342 |
| 2007 Jetta | 8,505 | 39.9% | 10% fewer fails | 130,936 |
| 2006 Jetta | 6,426 | 41.1% | 9% fewer fails | 133,258 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volkswagen Jetta
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 68% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension15.8%12% above avg
- Lights and electrics11.2%33% below avg
- Brakes8.5%14% below avg
- Tyres7.5%0% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure5.8%2% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.7%6% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.3%25% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags2.8%68% above avg
- Steering0.9%70% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.28% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.33% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 3
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.9% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.67% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 2.47% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
- 6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.04% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 7
Position lamp not working 1.99% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 8
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.95% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Volkswagen Jetta's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit16.9%
- Brake disc pitted or scored10.65%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear10.6%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.47%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion6.31%
- Brake pads wearing thin6.1%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volkswagen Jetta
- 1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 2
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 3
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 4
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Volkswagen Jetta covers about 9,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel85.3%
- Petrol14.7%
- Hybrid0%
Most common colours
Silver, Black, Grey, Blue, White
Average engine size: 1.8 litres.
Compare
How the Volkswagen Jetta compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru Impreza | 25% | 38% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Lancer | 33.2% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 35% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volvo S40 | 42.7% | 4% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Pulsar | 23.9% | 18% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën DS4 | 42.3% | 33% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Fiat Tipo | 26.1% | 52% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Volkswagen models.
Questions
Volkswagen Jetta questions, answered
Is the Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
On MOT results, the Volkswagen Jetta is about average: it fails 35% of first MOT tests, 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 23 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.
What fails most on a Volkswagen Jetta MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Jetta are coil spring fractured or broken (5.28% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.33% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (2.9% of tests). By area, suspension fails 15.8% of its tests.
Which Volkswagen Jetta year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2010 cars do best (14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (43% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volkswagen Jetta do a year?
A typical Volkswagen Jetta covers about 9,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Volkswagen Jetta before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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