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Volkswagen PASSAT - 2021

96.5 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2021 is 80.0 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen PASSAT, model year 2021. Sample size: 3,641 cars, 8,160 tests and 7,872 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 3,641 cars

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat has an overall defect rate of 96 per 100 vehicles, which is 22.8% higher than the average for cars of the same year at 79 per 100. Notably, this model performs exceptionally well in categories like Steering, Lights & Electrics, and Body/Structure, showing significantly lower defect rates than the average. However, it struggles more than average with Brakes and Wheels, Suspensions & Axles, indicating specific areas for concern. Mileage-related trends suggest that defect rates increase with mileage, but the Passat's rates are similar to the average across different mileage segments.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 3,641 cars

More model years for Volkswagen PASSAT

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Other models from Volkswagen

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Categories

Brakes
▼ 49.8% worse
59.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 40.0 / 100 tests
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
  • Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
Steering
▲ 71.4% better
0.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 0.7 / 100 tests
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
Visibility
▲ 15.2% better
12.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 14.5 / 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
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 52.7% better
5.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 11.2 / 100 tests
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • A direction indicator: lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
  • A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 26.5% worse
110.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 87.3 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
  • A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
Body/Structure
▲ 66.7% better
0.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 2.1 / 100 tests
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
  • Bumper: insecure or with damage likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • A body panel or body component: damaged or corroded and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted, or insecure
  • A door will not open using the relevant control or close properly
Equipment
▼ 20.0% worse
1.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 1.5 / 100 tests
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
  • A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
  • A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
  • A seat belt:
Other
▲ 14.8% better
2.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 2.7 / 100 tests
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
  • Any part of the noise suppression system: insecure
  • 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
0 268 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: 2,409
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 1,386
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 607
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 533
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 470
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
MINOR
Occurrences: 241
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 229
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 191
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 179
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 172

Serious faults (Top 10)

A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 229
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 179
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 172
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
FAIL
Occurrences: 149
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 69
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 63
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 42
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 29
Excessive fluctuation in brake effort through each wheel revolution
FAIL
Occurrences: 29
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 28