2005 Volkswagen Passat · 16,597 MOT tests
2005 Volkswagen Passat reliability
2005 Volkswagen Passats fail 42.3% of first MOT tests, 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 24 Passat years (16,597 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Passats: 29.2%)
- 42.3%
- 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 17
- 150,914
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 16,597
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 5% of tests fail here (41% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 54% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Volkswagen Passat
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics20.8%
- Body, chassis and structure13.6%
- Suspension13.4%
- Brakes10.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.8%
- Tyres7.6%
- Seat belts and airbags5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.77%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.57%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 3.92%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Position lamp not working 3.82%
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 3.8%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Stop lamp not working 3.71%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (20.38%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (15.69%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (14.59%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (12.82%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (7.86%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.31%)
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 2005 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
2005 Volkswagen Passats fail 42.3% of first MOT tests, 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 24 Passat years (16,597 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Volkswagen Passat MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (7.77% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.57% of tests), airbag warning lamp shows fault (3.92% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Volkswagen Passat have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Volkswagen Passat shows 150,914 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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