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Volkswagen California reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 67,022 MOT tests of cars first registered 2010–2022.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
83.1%pass first time
+3.3 ptsvs typical car
Beats 75%of cars
67,022MOT tests

Verdict

The Volkswagen California passes its MOT first time on 83.1% of tests, 3.3 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (79.8%). That puts it ahead of 75% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2013 California does best (beats 89% of cars) and the 2022 worst (beats 55%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, brakes, visibility.

Watch these weak spots

Seat belts & airbags2.7×as often as a typical car
Coil springs1.9×as often as a typical car
ABS warning light7.6×as often as a typical car
Airbag warning light4.2×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

60%70%80%90%100%3456789101112131491%86%82%79%76%75%
Volkswagen CaliforniaTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2010
Beats 86%
2011
Beats 85%
2012
Beats 77%
2013
Beats 89%
2014
Beats 78%
2015
Beats 72%
2016
Beats 71%
2017
Beats 67%
2018
Beats 60%
2019
Beats 58%
2020
Beats 74%
2021
Beats 62%
2022
Beats 55%

Engines

All years, 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.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2010–202261,62783.7%Beats 73%B
2.5 Diesel2010–20125,39575.8%Beats 85%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 0.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 5.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 3.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 3.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 3.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.4 ptsTyres: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.4 ptsBrakes: 3.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.8 ptsSuspension: 5.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.4 ptsExhaust: 0.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.6 ptsSuspension: 5.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 3.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 3.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 0.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 3.1% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+3.4 ptsTyres: 5.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.4 ptsBrakes: 3.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 3.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.8 ptsSuspension: 5.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−0.4 ptsExhaust: 0.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 5.0% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
5.0% vs 4.6%
Tyres
5.0% vs 5.4%
Lights & electrics
3.1% vs 6.4%
Brakes
3.0% vs 3.9%
Visibility
1.8% vs 3.7%
Seat belts & airbags
1.1% vs 0.4%
Emissions & leaks
0.8% vs 1.4%
Body & structure
0.8% vs 1.4%
Steering
0.5% vs 0.9%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.2%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Coil springs 1.9× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k96%89%82%77%74%72%
Volkswagen CaliforniaTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking3.7%3.2%1.1×
Coil springs3.0%1.6%1.9×
Headlight aim1.5%2.0%0.8×
ABS warning light1.2%0.2%7.6×
Brake pads1.0%1.7%0.6×
Tyre tread depth0.9%1.9%0.5×
Windscreen wipers0.8%2.0%0.4×
Airbag warning light0.8%0.2%4.2×
Windscreen washers0.7%1.5%0.5×
Shock absorbers0.7%0.6%1.2×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened29.9
A tyre seriously damaged19.6
A tyre cords visible or damaged17.0
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements15.4
Warning device shows system malfunction11.7
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm9.4
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements9.1
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn8.7
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. 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.

2022 Volkswagen California1 engine89.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,81389.9%Beats 55%C
2021 Volkswagen California1 engine89.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,81489.2%Beats 62%B
2020 Volkswagen California1 engine89.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,50789.7%Beats 74%B
2019 Volkswagen California1 engine87.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel6,14887.1%Beats 58%C
2018 Volkswagen California1 engine86.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel6,49886.0%Beats 60%C
2017 Volkswagen California1 engine85.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel8,69085.1%Beats 67%B
2016 Volkswagen California1 engine83.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel6,53683.9%Beats 71%B
2015 Volkswagen California1 engine82.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel7,94582.7%Beats 72%B
2014 Volkswagen California1 engine80.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel6,44580.7%Beats 78%B
2013 Volkswagen California1 engine80.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel5,20180.6%Beats 89%A
2012 Volkswagen California2 engines75.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel3,48075.3%Beats 76%B
2.5 Diesel1,66876.8%Beats 80%B
2011 Volkswagen California2 engines75.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel1,86975.8%Beats 85%A
2.0 Diesel1,51776.1%Beats 85%A
2010 Volkswagen California2 engines74.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel1,85875.0%Beats 89%A
2.0 Diesel1,03372.4%Beats 79%B

FAQ

What is the Volkswagen California MOT pass rate?

83.1% of MOT tests on the Volkswagen California were passed first time, based on 67,022 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2010–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 79.8% of the time.

Is the Volkswagen California reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 75% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volkswagen California year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2013 California does best for its age and mileage: it beats 89% of cars on UK roads. The 2022 does worst: it beats 55%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen California?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, coil springs, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, coil springs comes up 1.9× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.