2006 · 18 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2006 Volkswagen Jetta MOT pass rate and common faults

1,390 MOT tests in 2024. 58.4% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time58.4%
Failed or needed repairs41.6%
Typical mileage at test133,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,390 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.0%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.9%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.5%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.0%
    100 marked dangerous
  5. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.9%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.0%
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.9%
  8. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.8%
  9. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.7%
  10. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics24.7%
  2. Suspension21.5%
  3. Brakes16.8%
  4. Body & chassis13.1%
  5. Tyres9.6%
  6. Emissions & leaks8.8%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.0%
  8. Seat belts & airbags6.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.2%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn18.0%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.0%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.3%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened12.3%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2006 Volkswagen Jetta cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 17)58.6%1,895 tests
2024 pass rate (age 18)58.4%1,390 tests
Change in one year−0.2 pointsaverage car: −0.0 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2006 Volkswagen Jetta is ageing about the same as an average car.

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: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All Jetta years2007 Jetta →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta?

In 2024, 58.4% of 2006 Volkswagen Jetta cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,390 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).

Is the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta getting worse with age?

In 2023, 58.6% passed first time. In 2024, 58.4% passed (−0.2 points). An average car that age changed by −0.0 points, so the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta is ageing about the same as average.