2005 · 19 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2005 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate and common faults

3,771 MOT tests in 2024. 57.9% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

102Above average
Passed first time57.9%
Failed or needed repairs42.1%
Typical mileage at test153,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,771 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt9.5%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.3%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.2%
  4. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault4.0%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.6%
  6. Position lamp: not working3.3%
  7. Pre 01/07/2008 Turbo: emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit3.0%
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.0%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
    186 marked dangerous
  10. Stop lamp: not working2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics28.7%
  2. Brakes18.4%
  3. Body & chassis17.3%
  4. Suspension17.3%
  5. Emissions & leaks8.7%
  6. Tyres8.6%
  7. Seat belts & airbags5.3%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm22.2%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn18.2%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.8%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.1%
  5. Registration plates: inscription illegible9.7%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. 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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 Volkswagen Passat?

In 2024, 57.9% of 2005 Volkswagen Passat cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,771 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Volkswagen Passat?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Volkswagen Passat reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).