2021 Volkswagen California Ocean — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 920 MOT tests, the 2021 Volkswagen California Ocean recorded a 93.0% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 8.7% of the time, so this is 1.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.1%) and suspension (2.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, registration plates and wipers — shock absorbers alone was recorded 12 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.1% | 29 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.4% | 22 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.7% | 6 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 6 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 5 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.5% | 5 |
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 | 12 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 9 |
| 3 | Wipers | 7 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 6 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 4 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 4 |
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 | 14.5% | 133 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.5% | 41 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.5% | 32 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.8% | 26 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 23 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 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 | 647 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 260 | 11.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 440 | 5.9% |
| 2025 | 470 | 7.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 California Ocean
On a 2021 California Ocean, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.1% 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.
- Suspension (2.4% 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.
- Visibility (0.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 Oceans pass their MOT?
93.0% of the 920 2021 Volkswagen California Ocean MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen California Ocean?
Tyres, recorded in 3.1% of tests, followed by suspension (2.4%).
Does the 2021 California Ocean get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 11.5% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 920 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.