2003 · 21 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2003 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate and common faults

2,606 MOT tests in 2024. 57.3% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

100About average
Passed first time57.3%
Failed or needed repairs42.7%
Typical mileage at test160,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,606 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.6%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.2%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.8%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.8%
  5. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.0%
  6. Door condition: cannot be opened from outside the vehicle2.9%
  7. Stop lamp: not working2.8%
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.6%
  9. Position lamp: not working2.5%
  10. Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics28.9%
  2. Brakes23.2%
  3. Suspension20.6%
  4. Body & chassis17.3%
  5. Tyres7.1%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.8%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.6%
  8. Steering3.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.9%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine20.5%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened18.0%
  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 2003 Volkswagen Passat?

In 2024, 57.3% of 2003 Volkswagen Passat cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,606 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 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 2003 Volkswagen Passat reliable at MOT time?

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