Volkswagen Unclassified
From 5,285 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn and windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen. The top issue, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, caused 147 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.
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 147 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 111 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 108 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 107 |
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 106 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 101 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 92 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 86 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 80 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 79 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 20.4% of Unclassified failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 27.7% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £129.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 91% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, switch does not operate in accordance with the requirements or the rear position lamps can be switched off when the headlamps are on |
| 2018 | 87% | a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, warning device shows system malfunction |
| 2017 | 85.3% | exhaust system leaking or insecure, service brake efficiency below minimum requirement |
| 2016 | 77.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a tyre seriously damaged |
16 earlier years
| 2015 | 78.6% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2014 | 85.3% | brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, exhaust system leaking or insecure |
| 2013 | 80.2% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. |
| 2012 | 74.9% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened |
| 2011 | 75.7% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2010 | 68.2% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2009 | 70.8% | a spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 2008 | 72.3% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated |
| 2007 | 68.4% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2006 | 64.9% | windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, emissions levels exceed default limits |
| 1991 | 65.8% | a headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of led, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
| 1990 | 78.2% | brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
| 1989 | 82% | vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1987 | 79.2% | steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. |
| 1986 | 72.7% | vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1972 | 70.4% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced |
Typical mileage
Half of all Unclassifieds tested had between 65,083 and 138,161 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 110,949 median miles, the Unclassified has 0.022 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 Unclassified MOT pass rate?
The Volkswagen Unclassified has a 75.6% MOT pass rate based on 5,285 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Unclassified?
The most common MOT failure on the Volkswagen Unclassified is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, which caused 147 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
What is the typical mileage of a Volkswagen Unclassified at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Volkswagen Unclassified is 110,949 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 65,083 and 138,161 miles.
Buying a used Unclassified?
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.
With a 75.6% pass rate and an average repair bill of £129 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
Some links are to services we may earn from. Disclosure.
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.