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MOT performance

Volkswagen Jetta MOT pass rate and common failures

Across 28,746 MOT tests of the Volkswagen Jetta in 2023–2024, 64.6% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Volkswagen Jettas failed 5% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “coil spring: fractured or broken”, on 5.81% of tests.

28,746 MOT tests on 15,426 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto

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At a glance

Volkswagen Jetta MOT results at a glance
FigureValueBasis
First-time pass rate64.6%±0.6 pts (95%), n = 28,746
Failures vs similar cars0.95×same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Tests with a dangerous defect9.3%n = 28,746
Average age at test12.7 yearsn = 28,746
Median mileage at test106,093 milesn = 28,746
Vehicles tested15,4262023–2024

Where Volkswagen Jettas fail

The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.

Volkswagen Jetta MOT failures by area
AreaTests failed on itvs similar cars
Suspension16.2%+12%
Lights, reflectors and electrical11.3%-30%
Brakes9.0%-12%
Tyres7.4%-1%
Body, chassis and structure5.7%-3%
Noise, emissions and leaks4.6%+5%
Driver's view of the road4.4%-22%
Seat belts and airbags2.9%+62%
Steering1.0%-68%
Road wheels0.5%-8%
Registration plates and VIN0.3%-30%

Most common failure items

Most common Volkswagen Jetta MOT failure items
ItemAreaShare of tests
Coil spring: fractured or brokenSuspension5.81%
Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively wornSuspension3.88%
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirtBody, chassis and structure3.13%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres2.88%
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirtSuspension2.73%
Condition: has ply or cords exposedTyres2.33%
Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirementsBrakes2.29%
Position lamp: not workingLights, reflectors and electrical2.28%
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrectLights, reflectors and electrical2.16%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes1.97%

Most common advisories

Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.

Most common Volkswagen Jetta MOT advisories
ItemAreaShare of tests
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres18.88%
Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively wornSuspension12.32%
Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakenedBrakes12.29%
Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakenedSuspension7.52%
Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structureTyres7.39%

Pass rate by age

Volkswagen Jetta MOT pass rate by age at test
Age at test (years)TestsFirst-time pass rateFailures vs similar cars
5-61,06375.9%+24%
7-83,76572.6%+10%
9-104,24667.0%+4%
11-124,17265.6%-8%
13-157,66262.2%-11%
16+7,81659.6%-7%

Pass rate by registration year

Volkswagen Jetta MOT pass rate by registration year
RegisteredTestsFirst-time pass rateFailures vs similar cars
201770173.9%1.32×
20161,57975.2%1.08×
20152,31672.2%1.07×
20142,03767.9%1.09×
20132,17667.3%1.00×
20122,42965.8%0.94×
20111,90764.7%0.92×
20101,40164.8%0.88×
20092,28463.3%0.88×
20083,39460.1%0.92×
20074,58659.5%0.92×
20063,29858.6%0.93×

Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.

Check a specific Volkswagen Jetta

Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.

UK number plate or 17-character VIN

About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.