1990 Volkswagen Passat — MOT History by Age

How cars manufactured in 1990 perform at MOT as they age

36 years

Current Age

83.3%

Latest Pass Rate

1,580

Total Tests (All Years)

136,674 mi

Avg Mileage (Latest)

Data from official DVSA MOT testing records

Insufficient data for same-age comparison.

How This Car Ages

Pass rate progression for the 1990 Volkswagen Passat as it ages.

19 yrs46.8%

→ ↓5.0%

20 yrs41.8%

→ ↑5.2%

21 yrs47.0%

→ ↑3.3%

22 yrs50.3%

→ ↓10.9%

23 yrs39.4%

→ ↑12.1%

24 yrs51.5%

→ ↑1.9%

25 yrs53.4%

→ ↓0.8%

26 yrs52.6%

→ ↑7.4%

27 yrs60.0%

→ ↑23.3%

34 yrs83.3%

📊 View as table

Age	Pass Rate	Tests
19 yrs	46.8%	444
20 yrs	41.8%	306
21 yrs	47.0%	236
22 yrs	50.3%	159
23 yrs	39.4%	127
24 yrs	51.5%	97
25 yrs	53.4%	73
26 yrs	52.6%	57
27 yrs	60.0%	45
34 yrs	83.3%	36

Pass Rate Trend

How the 1990 Volkswagen Passat pass rate changes as it ages, from first MOT to most recent.

📊 View as table

Built	Pass Rate	Tests
2024 (34 yrs)	83.3%	36
2017 (27 yrs)	60%	45
2016 (26 yrs)	52.6%	57
2015 (25 yrs)	53.4%	73
2014 (24 yrs)	51.5%	97
2013 (23 yrs)	39.4%	127
2012 (22 yrs)	50.3%	159
2011 (21 yrs)	47%	236
2010 (20 yrs)	41.8%	306
2009 (19 yrs)	46.8%	444

Year-by-Year MOT Results

2009High Fail Rate

46.8%

Age (yrs) 19Tests 444Avg Mileage 150,635Top Failure Brakes — 37.2%

2010High Fail Rate

41.8%

Age (yrs) 20Tests 306Avg Mileage 153,476Top Failure Suspension — 37.6%

2011High Fail Rate

47.0%

Age (yrs) 21Tests 236Avg Mileage 158,070Top Failure Suspension — 37.3%

2012High Fail Rate

50.3%

Age (yrs) 22Tests 159Avg Mileage 153,319Top Failure Suspension — 34.0%

2013High Fail Rate

39.4%

Age (yrs) 23Tests 127Avg Mileage 157,036Top Failure Suspension — 115.0%

2014High Fail Rate

51.5%

Age (yrs) 24Tests 97Avg Mileage 159,905Top Failure Suspension — 95.9%

2015High Fail Rate

53.4%

Age (yrs) 25Tests 73Avg Mileage 157,583Top Failure Suspension — 89.0%

2016High Fail Rate

52.6%

Age (yrs) 26Tests 57Avg Mileage 157,888Top Failure Suspension — 80.7%

2017High Fail Rate

60.0%

Age (yrs) 27Tests 45Avg Mileage 156,551Top Failure Suspension — 93.3%

2024

83.3%

Age (yrs) 34Tests 36Avg Mileage 136,674Top Failure Suspension — 38.9%

MOT results for 1990 Volkswagen Passat by test year
Test Year▲	Age (yrs)▲▼	Pass Rate▲▼	Tests▲▼	Avg Mileage▲▼	Top Failure▲▼
2009	19	46.8%	444	150,635	Brakes — 37.2%
2010	20	41.8%	306	153,476	Suspension — 37.6%
2011	21	47.0%	236	158,070	Suspension — 37.3%
2012	22	50.3%	159	153,319	Suspension — 34.0%
2013	23	39.4%	127	157,036	Suspension — 115.0%
2014	24	51.5%	97	159,905	Suspension — 95.9%
2015	25	53.4%	73	157,583	Suspension — 89.0%
2016	26	52.6%	57	157,888	Suspension — 80.7%
2017	27	60.0%	45	156,551	Suspension — 93.3%
2024	34	83.3%	36	136,674	Suspension — 38.9%

Common MOT Failures

Top failure categories across all test years for 1990 Volkswagen Passat, with age trends.

Suspension

65.6%

↑ Increases with age

Brakes

57.9%

↑ Increases with age

Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment

38.0%

↑ Increases with age

Steering

22.6%

— Consistent

Tyres

22.1%

↑ Increases with age

How Failures Change With Age

Comparing failure rates between the youngest and oldest test years.

Category	At Youngest	At Oldest	Change	Trend
Suspension	34.2% (19 yrs)	38.9% (34 yrs)	+4.7%	🔴 ↑
Tyres	18.5% (19 yrs)	22.2% (34 yrs)	+3.7%	🔴 ↑

Other Manufacture Years

Looking for the best year to buy? See the full comparison on the Volkswagen Passat page →

About This Data

This page shows how Volkswagen Passat cars manufactured in 1990 perform at MOT as they age. Data spans from 2009 to 2024, covering 1,580 tests. Pass rates naturally decline with age as components wear.

Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.