2013 · 11 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2013 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate and common faults

12,094 MOT tests in 2024. 68.0% passed first time, compared with 66.8% for all cars the same age.

102About average
Passed first time68.0%
Failed or needed repairs32.0%
Typical mileage at test119,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 12,094 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.1%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.2%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.7%
    630 marked dangerous
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.6%
    671 marked dangerous
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
    340 marked dangerous
  6. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.1%
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
  8. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.6%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
  10. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension17.8%
  2. Tyres12.0%
  3. Lights & electrics10.4%
  4. Brakes7.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.7%
  6. Seat belts & airbags2.7%
  7. Body & chassis2.6%
  8. Emissions & leaks2.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm23.4%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn18.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened12.9%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.2%
  5. Suspension arm: corroded and seriously weakened5.8%

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: 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 2013 Volkswagen Passat?

In 2024, 68.0% of 2013 Volkswagen Passat cars passed their MOT first time, across 12,094 tests. The average for all 11-year-old cars was 66.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2013 Volkswagen Passat?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2013 Volkswagen Passat reliable at MOT time?

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