2012 Volkswagen Passat · 49,360 MOT tests
2012 Volkswagen Passat reliability
2012 Volkswagen Passats fail 32.2% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 24 Passat years (49,360 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Passats: 29.2%)
- 32.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen Passats: 29.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 13% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 124,469
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 49,360
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 4.4% of tests fail here (246% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 68% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Volkswagen Passat
Fail rate by area
- Suspension14.1%
- Tyres10.4%
- Lights and electrics8.7%
- Brakes5.3%
- Seat belts and airbags4.4%
- Body, chassis and structure2.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.33%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.92%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 3.79%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.7%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 3.12%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.99%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (20.59%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (16.62%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.94%) · Brake pads wearing thin (8.31%) · Linkage ball joint slight play (5.26%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (4.77%)
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 2012 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
2012 Volkswagen Passats fail 32.2% of first MOT tests, 13% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 12 of 24 Passat years (49,360 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Volkswagen Passat MOT?
Most often suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (4.33% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (3.92% of tests), airbag warning lamp shows fault (3.79% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Volkswagen Passat have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Volkswagen Passat shows 124,469 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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