1998 · 26 years old at test · Diesel mostly

1998 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate and common faults

261 MOT tests in 2024. 54.0% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

83Well below average
Passed first time54.0%
Failed or needed repairs46.0%
Typical mileage at test145,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 261 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.0%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn5.7%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play5.0%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.6%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.8%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.1%
  7. Headlamp aim: too low2.7%
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.7%
  9. Emissions not tested: unable to be completed2.7%
  10. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics31.8%
  2. Suspension22.2%
  3. Brakes14.6%
  4. Body & chassis11.5%
  5. Emissions & leaks11.5%
  6. Steering8.0%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.5%
  8. Tyres3.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine24.9%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened18.4%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.3%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded11.5%
  5. Registration plates: inscription illegible11.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All Passat years1999 Passat →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Volkswagen Passat?

In 2024, 54.0% of 1998 Volkswagen Passat cars passed their MOT first time, across 261 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Volkswagen Passat?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1998 Volkswagen Passat reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 83, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).