Volkswagen Spider MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 35 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 14.3%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Volkswagen Spider MOT Reliability Overview
The Volkswagen Spider is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 35 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.7% and a failure rate of 14.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Volkswagen Spider earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Volkswagen Spider presents for MOT with approximately 11,725 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Volkswagen Spider is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 17.1% 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 Suspension at 11.4%. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment rounds out the top three at 5.7%. 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 | 22.8% | 8 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.3% | 5 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.7% | 2 |
| 4 | Steering | 2.9% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 11,725 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 | 19.49 | 22.8% | 8 |
| Suspension | 12.18 | 14.3% | 5 |
| Brakes | 4.87 | 5.7% | 2 |
| Steering | 2.44 | 2.9% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Volkswagen Spider has 11,725 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 Spider has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 12.20% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Volkswagen Spider MOT Data
The Volkswagen Spider is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 35 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 85.7% and a failure rate of 14.3%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Volkswagen Spider 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 suspension 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 Spider is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 17.1% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 17.1% of MOT failures on the Volkswagen Spider. 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.
Suspension — 11.4% of failures
Suspension issues account for 11.4% of MOT failures on the Volkswagen Spider. 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 — 5.7% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 5.7% of MOT failures on the Volkswagen Spider. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Spider?
Based on 35 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Volkswagen Spider has an overall pass rate of 85.7% (14.3% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Spider?
The top 3 reasons a Volkswagen Spider fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (17.1%), 2. Suspension (11.4%), 3. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (5.7%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Volkswagen Spider reliable?
With a 14.3% MOT failure rate, the Spider is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Volkswagen Spider?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (17.1%); Suspension (11.4%); Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (5.7%). 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.