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Volkswagen Passat reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-present4 named generationsfamily hatchbackSaloonPETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC / DIESEL
At a glance

Volkswagen Passat built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Passats built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Volkswagen Passat by number plate

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Passats built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Passats built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volkswagen Passat'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.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

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 Passat's generation

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

Passat B9

B9 (2024-present)

PETROLDIESELHYBRID ELECTRIC
Too new for MOT figures: first MOTs due from 2027View details →
Passat B8

B8 (2015-2023)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESELHYBRID ELECTRIC

14.9% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 14,646 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Passat B7

B7 (2011-2014)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

26.3% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Fails as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 7,262 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Passat B6

B6 (2005-2010)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

29.9% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 9,346 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROLDIESEL

29.5% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 3,339 MOT tests at this ageNo separate page

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 Passat.

See every build year for the Volkswagen Passat

Side-by-side

Volkswagen Passat 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
B8 (2015-2023)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings14.9%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 14,646 MOT tests at this age
B7 (2011-2014)
Average
Average26.3%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 7,262 MOT tests at this age
B6 (2005-2010)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings29.9%built around 2008 (17 years old)from 9,346 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating29.5%built around 2004 (21 years old)from 3,339 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Passat, 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 Passat fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volkswagen Passat 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
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
3,22311.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
5,6839.9%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
6,71711.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
10,19213.1%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
14,64614.9%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
17,38316.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
19,48018.3%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
18,18820.6%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
18,13224.1%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
16,44425.6%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
20,24226.5%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
17,38626.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
14,36927.6%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
11,38028.1%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
9,34629.9%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
6,92630.1%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
4,86030.5%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
3,56728.8%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
3,33929.5%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
2,34030.1%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,47430.0%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
76930.2%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,30128.7%

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.

Where it ranks

Where the Volkswagen Passat stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Volkswagen models

6th of 16

6th lowest fail rate of 16 Volkswagen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other saloons

17th of 29

17th lowest fail rate of 29 saloons with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

14.9%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

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

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

All generations of this modelPlenty of 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

    20.9%
    Advisory: 4,582Fail: 380 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    12.0%
    Advisory: 2,497Fail: 29 (1% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    10.5%
    Advisory: 1,449Fail: 608 (30% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.3%
    Advisory: 1,425Fail: 205 (13% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.0%
    Advisory: 1,427Fail: 416 (23% of the times it was found)

Based on 14,646 MOT tests on 7-year-old Volkswagen Passats, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Volkswagen Passats notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres37%
  2. Suspension + Tyres26%
  3. Brakes + Suspension18%
  4. Other + Tyres17%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 3,609 MOT tests on Volkswagen Passat cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

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

83%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

43 recalls in all

38 of the 43 Volkswagen Passat recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 10 Critical
  • 28 more

Top concerns

  • Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
  • Replace front passenger airbag
  • The fuse in the high-voltage system of plug-in hybrid vehicles was in some cases produced with too little so-called fire

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

    Kia Optima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    7.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.9%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Passat on these figures.

    3,355 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Toyota Avensis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.9%
    Dangerous
    4.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    72.2%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.3%, against 5.3% for the Volkswagen Passat.

    2,026 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Mercedes-Benz CLA

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3%
    Dangerous
    7.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Passat on these figures.

    10,369 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Dacia Logan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4%
    Dangerous
    6.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    85.5%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Passat on these figures.

    2,480 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 Passat across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 6th lowest fail rate of 16 Volkswagen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 14,646 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 Passat ever sold: 227,387 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 14,646 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.