1999 Volkswagen Passat · 1,960 MOT tests
1999 Volkswagen Passat reliability
1999 Volkswagen Passats fail 42.5% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 24 Passat years (1,960 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Passats: 29.2%)
- 42.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Passats: 29.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- 162,928
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 24
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,960
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1999 against the years either side
- 1998 cars: 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does better)
- 2000 cars: 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does better)
- Weak spot: number plates and vin, 1.1% of tests fail here (25% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 33% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1999 Volkswagen Passat
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics20.5%
- Suspension17.7%
- Body, chassis and structure12.8%
- Brakes12.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7%
- Steering6.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 6.28%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.97%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.9%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.96%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.86%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 2.55%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (18.67%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.93%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (13.67%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (8.88%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (8.67%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.79%)
Other years
Every Volkswagen Passat year
The full picture: Volkswagen Passat reliability. Before you pay for any Volkswagen Passat, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1999 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
1999 Volkswagen Passats fail 42.5% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 22 of 24 Passat years (1,960 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1999 Volkswagen Passat MOT?
Most often suspension ball joint excessively worn (6.28% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (5.97% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.9% of tests).
How many miles should a 1999 Volkswagen Passat have done?
At its MOT aged about 24, a typical 1999 Volkswagen Passat shows 162,928 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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