Diesel Volkswagen Jetta: MOT pass rate

69.5% of diesel Volkswagen Jettas pass the MOT first time, measured across 11,103 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 116,870.

Diesel against the other Volkswagen Jetta versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Volkswagen Jetta specifically, petrol is the strongest at 73.7%, and this diesel version sits 0.7 points below the 70.2% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Volkswagen Jetta had covered 116,870 miles at test, against 88,616 for the petrol. That is high mileage, so timing belts, clutches, suspension bushes and corrosion are the items worth budgeting for rather than the MOT itself.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Volkswagen Jetta page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Volkswagen Jetta

1. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 1.9% of tests (7.03x the national rate for this defect)
2. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 5.6% of tests (3.04x the national rate for this defect)
3. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.9% of tests (2.87x the national rate for this defect)
4. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 6.3% of tests (2.75x the national rate for this defect)
5. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 4% of tests (2.6x the national rate for this defect)
6. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 2.5% of tests (2.42x the national rate for this defect)
7. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2% of tests (2.12x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 9.5% of tests (1.89x the national rate for this defect)
9. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2.5% of tests (1.89x the national rate for this defect)
10. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 3.1% of tests (1.87x the national rate for this defect)

From 11,186 DVSA-tracked diesel Volkswagen Jetta tests, 2024, split out from the Volkswagen Jetta's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.99% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Volkswagen Jetta

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow, 3.6% of tests (3.28x the national rate for this defect)
2. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 13.5% of tests (2.61x the national rate for this defect)
3. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 11.6% of tests (2.46x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 4.3% of tests (2.15x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 27.1% of tests (2.03x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 5% of tests (1.9x the national rate for this defect)
7. Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced, 2.1% of tests (1.68x the national rate for this defect)
8. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 17.4% of tests (1.42x the national rate for this defect)
9. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 2.1% of tests (1.38x the national rate for this defect), also fails
10. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 34.1% of tests (1.28x the national rate for this defect)

From 11,186 DVSA-tracked diesel Volkswagen Jetta tests, 2024.

Other Volkswagen Jetta fuel types

• Petrol Volkswagen Jetta - 73.7%

All Volkswagen Jetta MOT data · Every model