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Volkswagen Passat B7 (2011-2014) reliability

At a glance

Volkswagen Passat B7 built around 2014: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Passat B7 models built around 2014 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Volkswagen Passat B7?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

24% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Passat B7 models built around 2014 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Passat B7 models built around 2014 involves the tyres.

Volkswagen Passat B7
average reliability2011-2014SaloonDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 74,294 tests of Passat models registered 2011-2014.

About 1 in 20 Passat B7 MOTs (5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2014 (11 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 18,132 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 Passat B7 MOTs (7.4%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2014 (11 years old).

Based on 18,132 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

B7 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
7,94923.3%
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
11,52726.4%

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 13 years old.

How the Passat B7 compares

At each age below, see how the Passat B7 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 265,585 tests across 18 Volkswagen models, built around 2014 (11 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateVolkswagen average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
7,94923.3%
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
11,52726.4%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Passat B7.

  1. 1

    Toyota Avensis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.8%
    Dangerous
    6.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    72.2%

    Lower fail rate: 21.8%, against 24.1% for the Volkswagen Passat B7, both built around 2014.

    3,715 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  2. 2

    Chevrolet Cruze

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    30.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    7.7%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Passat B7 on these figures.

    1,084 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  3. 3

    Mercedes-Benz CLA

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.3%
    Dangerous
    7.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Passat B7 on these figures.

    8 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,450 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  4. 4

    Hyundai i40

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.3%
    Dangerous
    7.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    75.2%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Passat B7 on these figures.

    4,074 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

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.

How many are still registered

83%of all Volkswagen Passat cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

5 of the 43 Passat B7 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 Critical
  • 2 more

Top concerns

  • Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
  • Starter motor may malfunction and overheat
  • Unintentional deployment of an airbag

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

How Passat B7 cars have aged

How Passat B7 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%7891011121314Age at MOTBuilt around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 19.0% (12,697 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 20.4% (12,585 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 21.4% (12,246 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.3% (11,752 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.8% (11,432 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 21.1% (10,806 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 21.7% (10,478 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (10,039 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 24.3% (9,694 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (9,182 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 23.1% (13,634 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 23.7% (13,207 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (12,577 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.5% (11,764 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 26.3% (10,896 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 24.1% (15,493 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (14,565 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 25.7% (13,610 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 26.7% (12,716 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 26.4% (11,527 tests, 2025 data)2011
First registered around 2014First registered around 2013First registered around 2012First registered around 2011
B7 variants compared

Passat B7 variants built around 2014

The fail rate for each Passat B7 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • PASSAT24.2%17,917 tests

Petrol

  • PASSAT14.6%206 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Volkswagen Passats of this age

This list covers every Volkswagen Passat built around 2014, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the B7 on its own.

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

    26.9%
    Advisory: 7,343Fail: 684 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    24.9%
    Advisory: 6,403Fail: 1,295 (17% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    15.9%
    Advisory: 4,500Fail: 514 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    13.0%
    Advisory: 3,260Fail: 35 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.2%
    Advisory: 1,831Fail: 305 (14% of the times it was found)

Based on 18,132 tests

Looking at a Volkswagen Passat B7?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2014 (11 years old), the Volkswagen Passat B7 (2011-2014) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 18,132 11-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 74,294 MOT tests on Volkswagen Passats first registered between 2011-2014. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.