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Volkswagen CALIFORNIA - 2016

110.9 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2016 is 154.9 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen CALIFORNIA, model year 2016. Sample size: 916 cars, 2,003 tests and 2,221 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 916 cars

The 2016 Volkswagen California has an overall defect rate of 111 per 100 vehicles, which is significantly lower than the yearly average of 151 per 100, representing a 27% improvement. Notably, this model performs particularly well in categories such as brakes, steering, and lights & electrics, with defect rates that are substantially below the average for its year. While the defect rates increase with mileage, the California showcases a more favorable performance overall compared to the average vehicle. There are no standout categories where this model is performing worse than average, highlighting its reliability.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 916 cars

More model years for Volkswagen CALIFORNIA

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Other models from Volkswagen

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Categories

Brakes
▲ 26.0% better
57.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 78.2 / 100 tests
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
  • Warning device shows system malfunction
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
Steering
▲ 92.6% better
0.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 8.1 / 100 tests
  • Power steering fluid: level below minimum mark
  • Power steering pipe, hose or wiring: excessively damaged or corroded
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
Visibility
▲ 22.0% better
11.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 15.0 / 100 tests
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 68.1% better
8.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.4 / 100 tests
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • A lens defective: which has no effect on emitted light
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Reflector defective or damaged: by up to 50% of the reflecting surface
  • Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 17.4% better
131.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 159.4 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▲ 58.2% better
3.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 9.1 / 100 tests
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
  • Exhaust fumes: entering cabin
Equipment
▲ 3.0% better
3.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 3.3 / 100 tests
  • ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction
  • ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
Other
▲ 56.6% better
4.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 11.3 / 100 tests
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
  • Emission control equipment fitted by the manufacturer missing, obviously modified or obviously defective
  • An induction or exhaust leak that could affect emissions levels
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 329 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 417
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 266
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 227
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 188
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 146
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 104
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
MINOR
Occurrences: 66
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 52
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 45
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 43

Serious faults (Top 10)

A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 104
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 38
Warning device shows system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 36
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 31
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 28
Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously not working
FAIL
Occurrences: 17
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 14