2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Volkswagen Jetta MOT pass rate and common faults

1,087 MOT tests in 2024. 66.5% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time66.5%
Failed or needed repairs33.5%
Typical mileage at test107,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,087 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.9%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.2%
  3. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.1%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.9%
    42 marked dangerous
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    39 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.1%
    34 marked dangerous
  7. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.0%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.8%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.7%
  10. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn1.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension21.7%
  2. Brakes14.4%
  3. Lights & electrics12.2%
  4. Tyres7.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.5%
  6. Body & chassis3.2%
  7. Emissions & leaks2.2%
  8. Steering0.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.3%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.7%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn12.3%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened7.6%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.0%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2012 Volkswagen Jetta cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 11)64.8%1,280 tests
2024 pass rate (age 12)66.5%1,087 tests
Change in one year+1.7 pointsaverage car: −1.3 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2012 Volkswagen Jetta is ageing better than an average car, which is a good sign for keeping one longer.

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2011 JettaAll Jetta years2013 Jetta →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?

In 2024, 66.5% of 2012 Volkswagen Jetta cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,087 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta 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 2012 Volkswagen Jetta getting worse with age?

In 2023, 64.8% passed first time. In 2024, 66.5% passed (+1.7 points). An average car that age changed by −1.3 points, so the 2012 Volkswagen Jetta is ageing better than average.