2010 Volkswagen California — MOT failures & pass rate
2,029 MOT tests on the 2010 Volkswagen California are in this dataset, and 80.9% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 24.4% of the time, so this is 5.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (7.6%) and brakes (5.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, anti-lock braking system and srs malfunction indicator lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 93 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2010 California fails 20.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 22.9% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.4 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.6% | 154 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.9% | 119 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 91 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.6% | 74 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.5% | 70 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.5% | 50 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 93 |
| 2 | Anti-lock braking system | 68 |
| 3 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 56 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 43 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 41 |
| 6 | Wipers | 35 |
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 | 21.2% | 430 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.5% | 395 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.5% | 375 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 165 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.5% | 91 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 87 |
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 | 88 | 20.4% |
| 30-60k | 592 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 793 | 18.2% |
| 90-120k | 391 | 23.0% |
| 120-150k | 130 | 26.9% |
| 150k+ | 35 | 22.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 416 | 20.0% |
| 2022 | 388 | 16.8% |
| 2023 | 406 | 18.5% |
| 2024 | 403 | 19.9% |
| 2025 | 416 | 20.4% |
What to check before buying a 2010 California
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 7.6% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (7.6% 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.
- Brakes (5.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (4.5% 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 2010 Volkswagen Californias pass their MOT?
80.9% of the 2,029 2010 Volkswagen California MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Volkswagen California?
Suspension, recorded in 7.6% of tests, followed by brakes (5.9%).
Does the 2010 California get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.4% in the 0-30k band to 22.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,029 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.