2008 · 16 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2008 Volkswagen Jetta MOT pass rate and common faults

1,538 MOT tests in 2024. 57.9% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

102About average
Passed first time57.9%
Failed or needed repairs42.1%
Typical mileage at test128,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,538 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.0%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.4%
  3. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.7%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
    90 marked dangerous
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.4%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.3%
    67 marked dangerous
  7. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.0%
  8. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
    46 marked dangerous
  9. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced2.5%
  10. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension23.6%
  2. Brakes17.2%
  3. Lights & electrics14.8%
  4. Body & chassis12.5%
  5. Tyres10.3%
  6. Emissions & leaks8.3%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.6%
  8. Seat belts & airbags5.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.0%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn17.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.2%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened10.9%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.0%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2008 Volkswagen Jetta cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 15)61.9%1,851 tests
2024 pass rate (age 16)57.9%1,538 tests
Change in one year−4.0 pointsaverage car: −0.5 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta 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 is about as good as an average car its age. 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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta?

In 2024, 57.9% of 2008 Volkswagen Jetta cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,538 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; coil spring: fractured or broken; linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).

Is the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta getting worse with age?

In 2023, 61.9% passed first time. In 2024, 57.9% passed (−4.0 points). An average car that age changed by −0.5 points, so the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta is ageing worse than average.