2003 Volkswagen Passat · 11,137 MOT tests
2003 Volkswagen Passat reliability
2003 Volkswagen Passats fail 42.7% of first MOT tests, 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 24 Passat years (11,137 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Passats: 29.2%)
- 42.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Passats: 29.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 7% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 158,089
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 11,137
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 14% of tests fail here (26% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 52% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Volkswagen Passat
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics21.3%
- Suspension15.3%
- Body, chassis and structure14%
- Brakes13.7%
- Tyres6.5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.9%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.78%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.76%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.68%
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.
Position lamp not working 3.88%
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 3.74%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.93%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (17.57%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (15.38%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (12.4%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (9.61%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.03%)
Other years
Every Volkswagen Passat year
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Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
2003 Volkswagen Passats fail 42.7% of first MOT tests, 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 24 Passat years (11,137 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Volkswagen Passat MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (7.78% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.76% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (4.68% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Volkswagen Passat have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Volkswagen Passat shows 158,089 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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