2021 · 3 years old at test · Electric mostly

2021 Volkswagen ID4 Life MOT pass rate and common faults

1,964 MOT tests in 2024. 90.2% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time90.2%
Failed or needed repairs9.8%
Typical mileage at test45,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,964 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
    56 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
    51 marked dangerous
  3. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
  4. Headlamp aim: too high1.0%
  5. Headlamp aim: too low0.5%
  6. Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative0.5%
  7. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.4%
  8. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.3%
  9. Size/type: of different sizes are fitted on the same axle.0.2%
  10. Pedal: anti-slip provision missing0.2%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Tyres6.2%
  2. Lights & electrics2.5%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.2%
  4. Suspension0.5%
  5. Number plates & VIN0.3%
  6. Brakes0.3%
  7. Body & chassis0.3%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.9%
  2. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.2%
  3. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm1.8%
  4. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre1.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.7%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2021 Volkswagen ID4 Life cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 2)94.7%970 tests
2024 pass rate (age 3)90.2%1,964 tests
Change in one year−4.5 pointsaverage car: −3.3 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2021 Volkswagen ID4 Life is ageing worse than an average car, so problems may be starting to build up at this age.

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All ID4 Life years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Volkswagen ID4 Life?

In 2024, 90.2% of 2021 Volkswagen ID4 Life cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,964 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 Volkswagen ID4 Life?

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2021 Volkswagen ID4 Life reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 103, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).

Is the 2021 Volkswagen ID4 Life getting worse with age?

In 2023, 94.7% passed first time. In 2024, 90.2% passed (−4.5 points). An average car that age changed by −3.3 points, so the 2021 Volkswagen ID4 Life is ageing worse than average.