2002 Volkswagen Passat · 7,241 MOT tests
2002 Volkswagen Passat reliability
2002 Volkswagen Passats fail 43.5% of first MOT tests, 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 24 Passat years (7,241 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Passats: 29.2%)
- 43.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Passats: 29.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 3% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 155,108
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 7,241
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2002 against the years either side
- 2001 cars: about average for its age (the 2002 car does better)
- 2003 cars: 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does worse)
- Weak spot: number plates and vin, 1.2% of tests fail here (40% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 41% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2002 car carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
Common problems
What fails on a 2002 Volkswagen Passat
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics21.6%
- Suspension15%
- Body, chassis and structure14.9%
- Brakes13.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.3%
- Tyres6.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.93%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 5.57%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.41%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Stop lamp not working 4.1%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 3.87%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.4%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (19.21%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.94%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (17.24%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (12.21%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (9.36%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (8.05%)
Other years
Every Volkswagen Passat year
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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2002 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
2002 Volkswagen Passats fail 43.5% of first MOT tests, 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 24 Passat years (7,241 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2002 Volkswagen Passat MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (7.93% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (5.57% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.41% of tests).
How many miles should a 2002 Volkswagen Passat have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2002 Volkswagen Passat shows 155,108 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2002 car?
A car first registered in 2002 carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
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