2021 Volkswagen California Ocean 4M — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Volkswagen California Ocean 4M passed 88.2% of its 397 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.1 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 8.7%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and seat belts & restraints.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.6%) and suspension (3.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, coil spring and malfunction indicator lamp — shock absorbers alone was recorded 11 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 15.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.6% | 26 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.8% | 15 |
| 3 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.3% | 5 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.3% | 5 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.3% | 5 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 11 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 4 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 3 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 3 |
| 5 | Washers | 3 |
| 6 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 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 | 15.1% | 60 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.6% | 26 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.0% | 12 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.0% | 12 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.0% | 8 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 2 |
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 | 271 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 106 | 18.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 187 | 10.2% |
| 2025 | 208 | 13.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 California Ocean 4M
On a 2021 California Ocean 4M, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.6% 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.
- Suspension (3.8% 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.
- Seat belts & restraints (1.3% of tests): Belt damage or faulty pretensioners — usually straightforward but safety-critical. Typical repair: £50–£300.
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 Ocean 4Ms pass their MOT?
88.2% of the 397 2021 Volkswagen California Ocean 4M MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen California Ocean 4M?
Tyres, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by suspension (3.8%).
Does the 2021 California Ocean 4M get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 18.9% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 397 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.