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Volkswagen Jetta reliability by build year

Coverage 2006-20101 named generationSaloonPETROL / DIESEL

We've only got 162 MOT tests for Volkswagen Jettas built around 2018 (7 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Volkswagen Jetta built around 2018: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Volkswagen Jettas built around 2018 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Volkswagen Jetta by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volkswagen Jetta's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Jetta's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

M

Mk5 (1K) (2006-2010)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

26.7% fail rate, built around 2010 (15 years old)

Likely between 24.0% and 29.6%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 30.1%)

From 969 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

DIESELPETROL

20.0% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 15.4% and 25.5%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 240 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volkswagen Jetta.

See every build year for the Volkswagen Jetta

Side-by-side

Volkswagen Jetta generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk5 (1K) (2006-2010)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate26.7%likely between 24.0% and 29.6%built around 2010 (15 years old)from 969 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating20.0%likely between 15.4% and 25.5%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 240 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Jetta, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Volkswagen Jetta fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volkswagen Jetta ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
16219.8%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
65422.0%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
1,26420.4%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
1,51122.0%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
1,47424.7%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
1,58326.5%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,63826.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
1,04226.0%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
96926.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,49929.6%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
2,23430.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
1,96330.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
73431.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
24020.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 19 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Volkswagen Jettas

These issues come from 7-year-old Volkswagen Jettas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    18.5%
    Advisory: 45Fail: 7 (13% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    13.0%
    Advisory: 23Fail: 9 (28% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.3%
    Advisory: 27Fail: 2 (7% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    9.3%
    Advisory: 22Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    7.4%
    Advisory: 7Fail: 10 (59% of the times it was found)

Based on 162 MOT tests on 7-year-old Volkswagen Jettas, every generation combined.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

85%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

6 recalls in all

All 6 Volkswagen Jetta recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • Starter motor may malfunction and overheat
  • Fire may occur
  • Abs/esc system may fail

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Volvo S90

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.8%
    Dangerous
    5.9%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 19.8% for the Volkswagen Jetta, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    2,355 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Alfa Romeo Giulia

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.9%
    Dangerous
    6.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.8%, against 19.8% for the Volkswagen Jetta, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    2,110 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Jaguar XE

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    6%

    Lower fail rate: 15.2%, against 19.8% for the Volkswagen Jetta, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    8,135 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    4.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    Lower fail rate: 12.7%, against 19.8% for the Volkswagen Jetta, both built around 2018.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,105 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Volkswagen Jetta across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 162 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volkswagen Jetta ever sold: 16,967 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 162 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.