Petrol Volkswagen Jetta: MOT pass rate

73.7% of petrol Volkswagen Jettas pass the MOT first time, measured across 2,227 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 88,616.

Petrol against the other Volkswagen Jetta versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Volkswagen Jetta specifically, petrol is the strongest at 73.7%, and this petrol version sits 3.5 points above the 70.2% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The petrol Volkswagen Jetta is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. 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 petrol Volkswagen Jetta had covered 88,616 miles at test, against 116,870 for the diesel. That is above average, the point where suspension bushes, drop links and exhaust corrosion start showing up as advisories before they become failures.

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 petrol Volkswagen Jetta

1. A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 2.9% of tests (4.49x the national rate for this defect)
2. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 4.6% of tests (2.52x the national rate for this defect)
3. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 4.5% of tests (1.95x the national rate for this defect)
4. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 4.5% of tests (1.89x the national rate for this defect)
5. 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, 1.6% of tests (1.75x the national rate for this defect)
6. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 1.5% of tests (1.42x the national rate for this defect)
7. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.7% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect)
8. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3.9% of tests (1.23x the national rate for this defect)
9. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.9% of tests (1.22x the national rate for this defect)
10. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 1.6% of tests (1.2x the national rate for this defect)

From 2,245 DVSA-tracked petrol Volkswagen Jetta tests, 2024, split out from the Volkswagen Jetta's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.38% 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 petrol 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, 3.4% of tests (3.1x the national rate for this defect)
2. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 11.8% of tests (2.28x the national rate for this defect)
3. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 9.7% of tests (2.05x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 5.3% of tests (1.85x the national rate for this defect)
5. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 4.5% of tests (1.68x the national rate for this defect)
6. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 3.3% of tests (1.67x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 8.1% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 18.8% of tests (1.41x 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% of tests (1.35x the national rate for this defect), also fails
10. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 4.1% of tests (1.27x the national rate for this defect)

From 2,245 DVSA-tracked petrol Volkswagen Jetta tests, 2024.

Other Volkswagen Jetta fuel types

• Diesel Volkswagen Jetta - 69.5%

All Volkswagen Jetta MOT data · Every model