2021 Volkswagen California Coast — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Volkswagen California Coast passed 94.1% of its 422 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.8 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 8.7%. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (2.6%) and tyres (2.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, shock absorbers and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 8 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 12.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 2.6% | 11 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.1% | 9 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 5 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 3 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.5% | 2 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.5% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 7 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 3 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 2 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 2 |
| 6 | Wipers | 2 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 12.1% | 51 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.8% | 16 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.5% | 15 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.1% | 13 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.9% | 8 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 296 | 2.7% |
| 30-60k | 117 | 13.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 194 | 4.1% |
| 2025 | 222 | 7.7% |
What to check before buying a 2021 California Coast
On a 2021 California Coast, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 2.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (2.6% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Tyres (2.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Volkswagen California Coasts pass their MOT?
94.1% of the 422 2021 Volkswagen California Coast MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen California Coast?
Suspension, recorded in 2.6% of tests, followed by tyres (2.1%).
Does the 2021 California Coast get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.7% in the 0-30k band to 13.7% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 422 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.