2006 · 18 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2006 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate and common faults

5,172 MOT tests in 2024. 56.8% passed first time, compared with 56.1% for all cars the same age.

101About average
Passed first time56.8%
Failed or needed repairs43.2%
Typical mileage at test151,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 5,172 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt7.8%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn6.8%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.7%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.3%
    366 marked dangerous
  5. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault3.8%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.7%
    279 marked dangerous
  7. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.2%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.2%
  9. Door condition: cannot be opened from outside the vehicle3.1%
  10. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Suspension26.7%
  2. Lights & electrics22.0%
  3. Body & chassis16.2%
  4. Brakes13.9%
  5. Tyres12.0%
  6. Emissions & leaks9.2%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.3%
  8. Seat belts & airbags5.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm27.9%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn26.6%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.0%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.9%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened11.8%

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: 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 2006 Volkswagen Passat?

In 2024, 56.8% of 2006 Volkswagen Passat cars passed their MOT first time, across 5,172 tests. The average for all 18-year-old cars was 56.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2006 Volkswagen Passat?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2006 Volkswagen Passat reliable at MOT time?

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