Large family car · 1996–2021 cars
Volkswagen Passat reliability
The Volkswagen Passat fails 29.2% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 664,369 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Volkswagen Passat before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 29.2%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 15% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 664,369
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 12,800
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
What this means for buyers
The Volkswagen Passat ranks 8 of 29 large family car models for MOT results. Across 664,369 tests from 2022 to 2024, its first-time fail rate is 29.2%, against 28.4% for all cars. Overall, it has 15% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. Results vary by year, though: 2021 models have 36% fewer fails, while 1998 models have 9% more.
A good Passat can still be a sound buy if you check the right things. Seat belts and airbags are its weakest area, with 16% more fails than cars of the same age and mileage, so test them closely. Check the tyres for tread below 1.6mm (3.08% of tests) and any exposed ply or cords (2.51%). Look at the coil springs for fractures (3.07%) and the suspension arm pins and bushes for excessive wear (2.48%).
MOT fail rate by age
How the Volkswagen Passat ages
Each point is the share of Volkswagen Passats of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Volkswagen Passat | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12.7% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 13.9% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 14.8% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 17.3% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 19.9% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 23.5% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 27% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 30.4% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 33.6% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 34.7% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 36.7% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 37.4% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 39.5% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 41.6% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 42.3% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 42.3% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 42.8% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 42.2% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 43.1% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 42.5% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 46.2% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 42.1% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 42.8% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Volkswagen Passat years
2021 cars come out best and 1998 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Passat | 1,596 | 10.3% | 36% fewer fails | 47,970 |
| 2020 Passat | 10,324 | 11.1% | 30% fewer fails | 46,270 |
| 2019 Passat | 19,777 | 13.2% | 22% fewer fails | 50,231 |
| 2018 Passat | 37,369 | 14.1% | 25% fewer fails | 60,961 |
| 2017 Passat | 48,060 | 15.9% | 26% fewer fails | 73,266 |
| 2016 Passat | 52,013 | 18.5% | 26% fewer fails | 86,100 |
| 2015 Passat | 54,125 | 20.6% | 27% fewer fails | 97,225 |
| 2014 Passat | 51,640 | 26.5% | 14% fewer fails | 101,516 |
| 2013 Passat | 42,690 | 29.4% | 14% fewer fails | 112,774 |
| 2012 Passat | 49,360 | 32.2% | 13% fewer fails | 124,469 |
| 2011 Passat | 59,033 | 33.8% | 15% fewer fails | 133,960 |
| 2010 Passat | 41,710 | 36.3% | 12% fewer fails | 134,348 |
| 2009 Passat | 43,267 | 36.1% | 15% fewer fails | 135,446 |
| 2008 Passat | 37,508 | 38.5% | 13% fewer fails | 143,231 |
| 2007 Passat | 34,181 | 40.7% | 9% fewer fails | 147,659 |
| 2006 Passat | 23,711 | 43% | 5% fewer fails | 149,138 |
| 2005 Passat | 16,597 | 42.3% | 7% fewer fails | 150,914 |
| 2004 Passat | 13,250 | 42.6% | 7% fewer fails | 156,675 |
| 2003 Passat | 11,137 | 42.7% | 7% fewer fails | 158,089 |
| 2002 Passat | 7,241 | 43.5% | 3% fewer fails | 155,108 |
| 2001 Passat | 4,177 | 43.1% | 2% fewer fails | 153,703 |
| 2000 Passat | 2,058 | 45.7% | 6% more fails | 155,774 |
| 1999 Passat | 1,960 | 42.5% | 1% more fails | 162,928 |
| 1998 Passat | 1,322 | 43.6% | 9% more fails | 146,636 |
| 1997 | 232 | 40.9% | 4% more fails | 151,296 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Volkswagen Passat
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 16% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension11.4%6% below avg
- Lights and electrics9.1%40% below avg
- Tyres8.5%15% above avg
- Brakes5.4%40% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure4.2%12% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.9%10% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.9%45% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.8%16% above avg
- Steering0.8%69% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.08% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.07% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.51% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.48% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 5
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.02% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.71% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.65% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
- 8
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.55% 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 Passat's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit18.88%
- Brake disc pitted or scored11.33%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear11.12%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.7%
- Shock absorber light oil misting5.61%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking5.17%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Volkswagen Passat
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 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 Passat covers about 12,800 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
- Diesel91.5%
- Petrol6.4%
- Hybrid2.1%
- LPG0%
- Electric0%
- Other0%
Most common colours
Grey, Black, Silver, Blue, White
Average engine size: 1.9 litres.
Compare
How the Volkswagen Passat compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Skoda Superb | 21.4% | 17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Volkswagen Passat | 29.2% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Saab 9-3 | 37.3% | 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Toyota Avensis | 33.7% | 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ford Mondeo | 33.3% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mazda 6 | 30% | 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Vauxhall Insignia | 31% | about average for its age |
Every large family car ranked in the large family car reliability index, or all Volkswagen models.
Questions
Volkswagen Passat questions, answered
Is the Volkswagen Passat reliable?
On MOT results, the Volkswagen Passat is about average: it fails 29.2% of first MOT tests, 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 8 of 29 large family car models in our index.
What fails most on a Volkswagen Passat MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Passat are tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.08% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (3.07% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (2.51% of tests). By area, suspension fails 11.4% of its tests.
Which Volkswagen Passat year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1998 cars do worst (9% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Volkswagen Passat do a year?
A typical Volkswagen Passat covers about 12,800 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 Passat 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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