2021 · 3 years old at test · Electric mostly

2021 Volkswagen ID3 Life MOT pass rate and common faults

5,701 MOT tests in 2024. 88.5% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

101About average
Passed first time88.5%
Failed or needed repairs11.5%
Typical mileage at test25,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 5,701 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.5%
    275 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
    135 marked dangerous
  4. Headlamp aim: too high1.2%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.4%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.4%
  7. Headlamp aim: too low0.2%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.2%
    17 marked dangerous
  9. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault0.2%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.2%
    19 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Tyres9.3%
  2. Lights & electrics2.5%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.2%
  4. Seat belts & airbags0.4%
  5. Brakes0.3%
  6. Suspension0.2%
  7. Number plates & VIN0.1%
  8. Body & chassis0.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.1%
  2. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm3.4%
  3. Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.3%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.7%
  5. Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre1.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2020 ID3 LifeAll ID3 Life years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Volkswagen ID3 Life?

In 2024, 88.5% of 2021 Volkswagen ID3 Life cars passed their MOT first time, across 5,701 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 Volkswagen ID3 Life?

The most common failure reasons were tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2021 Volkswagen ID3 Life reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 101, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).