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Volkswagen Phaeton 3D (2003-2016) reliability

Not enough data

Volkswagen Phaeton 3D built around 2013: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Volkswagen Phaeton 3D models built around 2013 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Volkswagen Phaeton 3D?

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

Key figure

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

Volkswagen Phaeton 3D
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2003-2016SaloonDIESEL

Based on 711 tests of Phaeton models registered 2003-2016.

3D fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
10916.5%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
11019.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
13318.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
10116.8%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
10725.2%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
7617.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
7524.0%

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 16 years old.

How the Phaeton 3D compares

At each age below, see how the Phaeton 3D holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 238,867 tests across 19 Volkswagen models, built around 2013 (12 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateVolkswagen average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
10916.5%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
11019.1%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
13318.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
10116.8%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
10725.2%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
7617.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
7524.0%

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.

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.

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.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

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 Phaeton 3D.

  1. 1

    Audi A6

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.1%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.1%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Phaeton 3D on these figures.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    11,155 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  2. 2

    Toyota Avensis

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.9%
    Dangerous
    6.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    72.2%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Phaeton 3D on these figures.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,746 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  3. 3

    Audi A4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.3%
    Dangerous
    6.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    85%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Phaeton 3D on these figures.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    19,384 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

  4. 4

    Hyundai i40

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.1%
    Dangerous
    8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    75.2%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Phaeton 3D on these figures.

    3,971 MOT tests on cars built around 2013

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.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Volkswagen Phaeton name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

How Phaeton 3D cars have aged

How Phaeton 3D 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.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%30%810121416Age at MOTBuilt around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 15.6% (77 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 15.2% (79 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 21.5% (79 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 20.6% (68 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 13.8% (65 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (75 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (64 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 16.1% (56 tests, 2023 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 15.9% (138 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 14.7% (129 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 15.7% (115 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 19.6% (112 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 15.5% (97 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 23.1% (78 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 20.3% (69 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 19.7% (66 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 17.2% (58 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 13.7% (51 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 22.7% (97 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 18.5% (81 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (79 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 15.5% (58 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 20.8% (53 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 18.2% (77 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (64 tests, 2022 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (95 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (80 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 27.7% (65 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 16.0% (50 tests, 2024 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 21.6% (88 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 25.0% (60 tests, 2022 data)2006
First registered around 2013First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Volkswagen Phaetons of this age

This list covers every Volkswagen Phaeton built around 2013, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the 3D 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

    19.3%
    Advisory: 36Fail: 4 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.8%
    Advisory: 15Fail: 7 (32% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    11.0%
    Advisory: 22Fail: 3 (12% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    11.0%
    Advisory: 20Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    7.3%
    Advisory: 9Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 109 tests

Looking at a Volkswagen Phaeton 3D?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2013 (12 years old), the Volkswagen Phaeton 3D (2003-2016) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 109 12-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 711 MOT tests on Volkswagen Phaetons first registered between 2003-2016. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.