2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate and common faults

13,721 MOT tests in 2024. 65.7% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

102Above average
Passed first time65.7%
Failed or needed repairs34.3%
Typical mileage at test131,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 13,721 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.1%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.0%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.3%
    886 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.6%
    663 marked dangerous
  5. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault3.4%
  6. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.7%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
    404 marked dangerous
  8. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.9%
  9. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn1.9%
  10. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension21.3%
  2. Tyres12.6%
  3. Lights & electrics11.2%
  4. Brakes7.9%
  5. Seat belts & airbags4.4%
  6. Body & chassis3.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.0%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm24.5%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn19.7%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.5%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.9%
  5. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn6.4%

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: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. 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 2012 Volkswagen Passat?

In 2024, 65.7% of 2012 Volkswagen Passat cars passed their MOT first time, across 13,721 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

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

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 Volkswagen Passat reliable at MOT time?

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