Volkswagen Passat V5 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 30 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 43.3%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Volkswagen Passat V5 MOT Reliability Overview
The Volkswagen Passat V5 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 30 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 56.7% and a failure rate of 43.3%, which is slightly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Volkswagen Passat V5 earns a "Below Average" reliability rating. The average Volkswagen Passat V5 presents for MOT with approximately 93,700 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Volkswagen Passat V5 is Suspension, affecting 43.3% of all tests. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. The second most common issue is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment at 30.0%. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions rounds out the top three at 20.0%. 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 | Suspension | 53.3% | 16 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 40.0% | 12 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.7% | 8 |
| 4 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 20.0% | 6 |
| 5 | Tyres | 13.3% | 4 |
| 6 | Registration Plates And Vin | 6.7% | 2 |
| 7 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 3.3% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 93,700 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 5.69 | 53.3% | 16 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 4.27 | 40.0% | 12 |
| Brakes | 2.85 | 26.7% | 8 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 2.13 | 20.0% | 6 |
| Tyres | 1.42 | 13.3% | 4 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.71 | 6.7% | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 0.36 | 3.3% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Volkswagen Passat V5 has 93,700 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 Passat V5 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 4.62% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Volkswagen Passat V5 MOT Data
The Volkswagen Passat V5 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 30 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 56.7% and a failure rate of 43.3%, which is slightly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Volkswagen Passat V5 owners, these results suggest average reliability — some preparation before MOT can improve pass chances. Focus your pre-MOT checks on suspension and lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment 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 Passat V5 is likely to perform.
Suspension — 43.3% of failures
Suspension issues account for 43.3% of MOT failures on the Volkswagen Passat V5. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 30.0% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 30.0% of MOT failures on the Volkswagen Passat V5. 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.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 20.0% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 20.0% of MOT failures on the Volkswagen Passat V5. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Passat V5?
Based on 30 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Volkswagen Passat V5 has an overall pass rate of 56.7% (43.3% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Passat V5?
The top 3 reasons a Volkswagen Passat V5 fails its MOT are: 1. Suspension (43.3%), 2. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (30.0%), 3. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (20.0%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Volkswagen Passat V5 reliable?
With a 43.3% MOT failure rate, the Passat V5 is about average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Volkswagen Passat V5?
Based on failure data, focus on: Suspension (43.3%); Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (30.0%); Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (20.0%). 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.