2001 Volkswagen Passat · 4,177 MOT tests
2001 Volkswagen Passat reliability
2001 Volkswagen Passats fail 43.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 21 of 24 Passat years (4,177 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Passats: 29.2%)
- 43.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Passats: 29.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- 153,703
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 21
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,177
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2001 against the years either side
- 2000 cars: 6% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2001 car does better)
- 2002 cars: 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2001 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 6.4% of tests fail here (12% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 51% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2001 car carries a 51 plate (September–December 2001).
Common problems
What fails on a 2001 Volkswagen Passat
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics20.7%
- Suspension15.6%
- Brakes13%
- Body, chassis and structure12.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.4%
- Steering6.4%
- Tyres6.2%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.28%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 5.46%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Stop lamp not working 4.29%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.97%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Position lamp not working 3.62%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 3.57%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (18.46%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (17.36%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.19%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (12.86%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (9.98%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (8.57%)
Other years
Every Volkswagen Passat year
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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2001 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
2001 Volkswagen Passats fail 43.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 21 of 24 Passat years (4,177 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2001 Volkswagen Passat MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (7.28% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (5.46% of tests), stop lamp not working (4.29% of tests).
How many miles should a 2001 Volkswagen Passat have done?
At its MOT aged about 21, a typical 2001 Volkswagen Passat shows 153,703 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2001 car?
A car first registered in 2001 carries a 51 plate (September–December 2001).
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