Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi: MOT pass rate and reliability data
The Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 13.2 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 527 individual Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.
The numbers
| First-time pass rate | 89.9% |
| UK national average | 76.7% |
| Difference | +13.2 points |
| Tests analysed | 527 |
| Average mileage at test | 54,361 miles |
| Average year of manufacture | 2020 |
| Reliability rank | 725 of 2,005 models |
What this means if you are buying one
A 89.9% first-time pass rate means roughly 10 in every 100 Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdis presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi tested had covered 54,361 miles and was built around 2020.
What this means at salvage auction
Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. On a Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi bought as a repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.
Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.
Looking at a specific Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see what damaged Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdis actually sold for at UK salvage auction.
Most common MOT failures on a Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 1.9% of tests
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 1.1% of tests (1.58x the national rate for this defect)
- A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.1% of tests
- Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1.1% of tests (1.19x the national rate for this defect)
- Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 0.8% of tests (1.43x the national rate for this defect)
- A tyre seriously damaged, 0.7% of tests
- Obligatory mirror or device inoperative, excessively damaged or insecure, 0.4% of tests (5.28x the national rate for this defect)
- Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator, 0.4% of tests (2.87x the national rate for this defect)
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 0.4% of tests
- A body panel or body component damaged or corroded and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted, or insecure, 0.3% of tests (2.84x the national rate for this defect)
From 725 DVSA-tracked Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 4.69% of these flagged Volkswagen Passat Sel Tdi defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 4.97% nationally.
Other Volkswagen models
- Volkswagen Golf - 77.1%
- Volkswagen Polo - 71.4%
- Volkswagen Transporter - 70.8%
- Volkswagen Tiguan - 82.4%
- Volkswagen Passat - 74.7%
- Volkswagen Caddy - 73.5%
- Volkswagen Up - 84.4%
- Volkswagen Touran - 72.7%
Models with a similar pass rate
- Land Rover Defender First Edition D Auto - 89.9%
- Skoda Fabia Colour Edition Tsi S-A - 89.9%
- Kia Picanto GT-Line Auto - 89.9%
- Honda Hr-V - 89.8%
- MINI Cooper S Electric Level 3 - 89.8%
- Peugeot 3008 Allure Puretech S/S - 89.8%
If this car is a salvage or write-off
- What does Cat N mean? Category N explained
- What does Cat S mean? Category S explained
- Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences
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