2002 · 22 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2002 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate and common faults

1,635 MOT tests in 2024. 57.6% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

99About average
Passed first time57.6%
Failed or needed repairs42.4%
Typical mileage at test156,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,635 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt9.1%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn6.5%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.3%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.8%
  5. Position lamp: not working3.3%
  6. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.2%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
  8. Stop lamp: not working2.6%
  9. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.5%
  10. Door condition: cannot be opened from outside the vehicle2.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics30.5%
  2. Brakes23.2%
  3. Suspension20.2%
  4. Body & chassis16.4%
  5. Tyres6.7%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.2%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.9%
  8. Steering5.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine22.6%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.9%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened19.8%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn14.4%
  5. Registration plates: inscription illegible10.8%

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 2002 Volkswagen Passat?

In 2024, 57.6% of 2002 Volkswagen Passat cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,635 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 Volkswagen Passat?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2002 Volkswagen Passat reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 99, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).