Verdict
Volkswagen cars pass their MOT first time on 70.9% of tests, against 69.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats 60% of cars on UK roads and ranks Volkswagen 16th of 40 makes: well behind Audi and BMW, and well ahead of Ford and Vauxhall.
The T-Roc (2018 on) does best, beating 94% of cars, ahead of the Touareg (85%), the Tiguan (83%) and the Arteon (81%). The ID.3 electric car beats 77%.
The Golf, the most tested VW, beats 72%, as does the Passat. The Polo, the second most tested, is the one to check most carefully at 27%, along with the Fox (15%) and Beetle (29%). The Transporter and Caddy vans beat 57% and 55%, close to the make overall, although vans tend to score lower from hard commercial use.
Volkswagens fail a little less often than a typical car on lights and electrics, brakes and visibility, and about 30% less often on steering. Suspension, tyres and body fail about as often as typical; emissions and leaks fail slightly more often, about 1.1 times.
Where it fails
Every Volkswagen compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Volkswagen models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golf 1983–2023 | 72.1% | Beats 72% | B |
| Polo 1990–2023 | 66.8% | Beats 27% | D |
| Transporter 1982–2023 | 67.2% | Beats 57% | C |
| Passat 1997–2022 | 69.0% | Beats 72% | B |
| Tiguan 2008–2023 | 81.9% | Beats 83% | A |
| Caddy 1998–2023 | 68.8% | Beats 55% | C |
| Up 2012–2022 | 81.8% | Beats 63% | B |
| Touran 2003–2021 | 65.8% | Beats 61% | B |
| Beetle 2000–2018 | 58.6% | Beats 29% | D |
| Scirocco 1990–2018 | 71.1% | Beats 62% | B |
| T-Roc 2018–2023 | 90.7% | Beats 94% | A |
| Touareg 2003–2023 | 76.2% | Beats 85% | A |
| Sharan 2001–2021 | 71.3% | Beats 62% | B |
| Fox 2006–2011 | 54.9% | Beats 15% | E |
| Amarok 2011–2020 | 77.9% | Beats 72% | B |
| Jetta 2006–2017 | 65.8% | Beats 64% | B |
| Caravelle 1984–2021 | 64.6% | Beats 50% | C |
| CC 2011–2017 | 76.0% | Beats 75% | B |
| Eos 2006–2015 | 66.4% | Beats 71% | B |
| T-Cross 2019–2023 | 88.6% | Beats 61% | B |
| Bora 1999–2006 | 55.7% | Beats 63% | B |
| California 2010–2022 | 83.1% | Beats 75% | B |
| Lupo 1999–2005 | 57.8% | Beats 50% | C |
| ID.3 2020–2023 | 89.5% | Beats 77% | B |
| Arteon 2017–2022 | 86.8% | Beats 81% | A |
| e-Golf 2018–2020 | 86.3% | Beats 54% | C |
| ID.4 2021–2023 | 87.6% | Beats 76% | B |
| Crafter 2007–2018 | 68.4% | Beats 61% | B |
FAQ
What is the Volkswagen MOT pass rate?
70.9% of Volkswagen MOT tests were passed first time, from 25.0 million tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 69.0%, so Volkswagens do a little better than typical.
Is Volkswagen reliable?
On MOT results it is a little above average: Volkswagen beats 60% of cars on UK roads and ranks 16th of 40 makes. It varies a lot by model. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Volkswagen model is most reliable?
The T-Roc, which beats more than nine in ten cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account. The Touareg and Tiguan beat more than eight in ten.
Which Volkswagen should I check most carefully?
The Polo, which beats only about a quarter of cars, the Fox (about one in seven) and the Beetle (under three in ten).
What are the most common MOT failures on Volkswagens?
Lights and electrics (about 1 in 9 tests), suspension (about 1 in 10), brakes and tyres, all at or a little below the rate for a typical car of the same age and mileage.