2015 · 9 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2015 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate and common faults

15,453 MOT tests in 2024. 78.0% passed first time, compared with 73.5% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time78.0%
Failed or needed repairs22.0%
Typical mileage at test106,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 15,453 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.5%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
    653 marked dangerous
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.2%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
    353 marked dangerous
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.9%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.8%
    370 marked dangerous
  7. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.2%
  9. Headlamp aim: too low0.8%
  10. Service brake performance: excessively binding0.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres7.9%
  2. Suspension7.2%
  3. Lights & electrics7.1%
  4. Brakes5.1%
  5. Emissions & leaks3.4%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.6%
  7. Seat belts & airbags0.6%
  8. Body & chassis0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.8%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.9%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.5%
  4. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak9.4%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure5.8%

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: shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. 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 2015 Volkswagen Passat?

In 2024, 78.0% of 2015 Volkswagen Passat cars passed their MOT first time, across 15,453 tests. The average for all 9-year-old cars was 73.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2015 Volkswagen Passat?

The most common failure reasons were shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2015 Volkswagen Passat reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).