2016 · 8 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2016 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate and common faults

15,070 MOT tests in 2024. 79.9% passed first time, compared with 76.6% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time79.9%
Failed or needed repairs20.1%
Typical mileage at test96,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 15,070 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak4.4%
  2. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.6%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.6%
    564 marked dangerous
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
    291 marked dangerous
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
    316 marked dangerous
  6. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.3%
  7. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.3%
  8. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.8%
  9. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres7.5%
  2. Suspension7.1%
  3. Lights & electrics5.3%
  4. Brakes4.0%
  5. Emissions & leaks2.9%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.6%
  7. Seat belts & airbags0.5%
  8. Body & chassis0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm19.0%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.7%
  3. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak8.9%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.7%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure5.7%

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: 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 2016 Volkswagen Passat?

In 2024, 79.9% of 2016 Volkswagen Passat cars passed their MOT first time, across 15,070 tests. The average for all 8-year-old cars was 76.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2016 Volkswagen Passat?

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

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).