Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 50 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 22.0%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 MOT Reliability Overview
The Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 50 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.0% and a failure rate of 22.0%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 presents for MOT with approximately 29,226 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 14.0% of all tests. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. The second most common issue is Tyres at 10.0%. Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems rounds out the top three at 10.0%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 14.0% | 7 |
| 2 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 10.0% | 5 |
| 3 | Tyres | 10.0% | 5 |
| 4 | Driver's View Of The Road | 8.0% | 4 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.0% | 1 |
| 6 | Suspension | 2.0% | 1 |
| 7 | Brakes | 2.0% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 29,226 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 4.79 | 14.0% | 7 |
| Seat Belts | 3.42 | 10.0% | 5 |
| Tyres | 3.42 | 10.0% | 5 |
| Visibility | 2.74 | 8.0% | 4 |
| Steering | 0.68 | 2.0% | 1 |
| Suspension | 0.68 | 2.0% | 1 |
| Brakes | 0.68 | 2.0% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 has 29,226 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 7.53% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 MOT Data
The Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 50 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.0% and a failure rate of 22.0%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and tyres for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific California Se Tdi 180 4x4 is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 14.0% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 14.0% of MOT failures on the Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Tyres — 10.0% of failures
Tyres issues account for 10.0% of MOT failures on the Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems — 10.0% of failures
Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems issues account for 10.0% of MOT failures on the Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4. Seat belt failures include frayed or cut webbing, faulty retractors, buckles that don't latch properly, and missing or damaged anchorages. All fitted seat belts must be functional. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per belt. Pre-MOT check: Pull each seat belt fully out and check for fraying, cuts, or fading. Ensure each belt retracts smoothly and the buckle clicks securely. Check the pre-tensioner warning light on the dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4?
Based on 50 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 has an overall pass rate of 78.0% (22.0% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4?
The top 3 reasons a Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (14.0%), 2. Tyres (10.0%), 3. Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems (10.0%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4 reliable?
With a 22.0% MOT failure rate, the California Se Tdi 180 4x4 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Volkswagen California Se Tdi 180 4x4?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (14.0%); Tyres (10.0%); Seat Belts and Supplementary Restraint Systems (10.0%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.