VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 10,837 MOT tests from 857 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has the same fault.

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 576/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT.

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	772/999Very good	94,348 miles	636 vehicles
N/A	N/A	770/999Very good	93,961 miles	646 vehicles
N/A	N/A	749/999Very good	79,424 miles	2,016 vehicles
N/A	N/A	734/999Very good	74,650 miles	783 vehicles
N/A	N/A	699/999Good	81,473 miles	9,848 vehicles
N/A	N/A	667/999Good	82,453 miles	12,614 vehicles
N/A	N/A	633/999Good	83,911 miles	13,767 vehicles
N/A	N/A	568/999Above average	84,616 miles	14,207 vehicles
N/A	N/A	553/999Above average	105,556 miles	645 vehicles
N/A	N/A	551/999Above average	84,619 miles	13,138 vehicles
N/A	N/A	513/999Above average	99,943 miles	1,293 vehicles
N/A	N/A	513/999Above average	84,920 miles	6,035 vehicles
N/A	N/A	510/999Above average	89,781 miles	5,944 vehicles
N/A	N/A	507/999Above average	83,049 miles	5,416 vehicles
N/A	N/A	503/999Above average	85,852 miles	3,626 vehicles
N/A	N/A	489/999Average	123,427 miles	1,189 vehicles
N/A	N/A	480/999Average	84,145 miles	16,316 vehicles
N/A	N/A	479/999Average	98,041 miles	7,218 vehicles
N/A	N/A	474/999Average	93,183 miles	9,588 vehicles
N/A	N/A	469/999Average	86,750 miles	13,304 vehicles
N/A	N/A	468/999Average	89,529 miles	10,873 vehicles

How reliable is the VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?

Based on 10,837 MOT tests from 857 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

857

MOT tests

10,837

Pass rate

78.9%

Median mileage

122,788 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 599 out of 999.

Common VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 2,148 advisory comments and 236 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 425 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 244 advisory comments and 40 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 153 advisory comments and 130 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (5.3.2 (B))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 195 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 182 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 166 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 54 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.2.2 (G))

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	6	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	8	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	6	9	77.8%	Tyre wear
2022	10	25	80%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2021	13	49	85.7%	Brake disc wear, Shock absorber issues
2020	24	102	90.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2019	28	158	84.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2018	53	342	88.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	53	427	85%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2016	70	653	83.2%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2015	75	792	81.1%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2014	71	828	81.4%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2013	46	611	81%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012	41	584	74.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2011	78	1192	79.4%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2010	43	678	79.6%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2009	43	697	78.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2008	35	659	78.3%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2007	27	553	77%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2006	23	473	73.2%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2005	17	317	74.1%	Tyre wear, Registration plate condition
2004	9	225	72.9%	Tyre wear, Oil leak
2003	15	367	75.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2002	9	187	77.5%	Tyre wear, Headlamp faults
2001	10	237	76.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear

What to check when buying a used VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?

Common problems tell you what can affect VOLKSWAGEN PASSATs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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