Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi
From 622 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage and a tyre cords visible or damaged. The top issue, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, caused 12 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 12 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 6 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 5 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 5 |
| brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn | 4 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 3 |
| obligatory mirror or device inoperative, excessively damaged or insecure | 2 |
| a body panel or body component damaged or corroded and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted, or insecure | 2 |
| a wheel bearing excessively rough | 2 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 2 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 25.6% of Passat Sel Tdi failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 25.6% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £111.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 86.3% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2020 | 90.4% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage |
Typical mileage
Half of all Passat Sel Tdis tested had between 31,436 and 69,247 miles on the clock.
At 52,659 median miles, the Passat Sel Tdi has 0.02 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Volkswagen models
| Volkswagen Golf | 79.1% |
| Volkswagen Polo | 73.8% |
| Volkswagen Transporter | 73.8% |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 84.6% |
| Volkswagen Passat | 76.9% |
Common questions
What is the Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi MOT pass rate?
The Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi has a 89.7% MOT pass rate based on 622 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi?
The most common MOT failure on the Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi is tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, which caused 12 failures. Other common issues include a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage.
What is the typical mileage of a Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi is 52,659 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 31,436 and 69,247 miles.
Buying a used Passat Sel Tdi?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.