2014 Volkswagen California — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,327 MOT tests, the 2014 Volkswagen California recorded an 84.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 18.3% of the time, so this is 2.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.6%) and tyres (4.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and anti-lock braking system — coil spring alone was recorded 223 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.2% in the 0-30k band and 22.1% in the 120-150k band, a 12.9-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 17.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 14.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.6% | 287 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.4% | 190 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.3% | 187 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 120 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.2% | 95 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.0% | 43 |
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 | 223 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 106 |
| 3 | Anti-lock braking system | 105 |
| 4 | Washers | 66 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 62 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 59 |
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 | 17.8% | 770 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.9% | 645 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.2% | 483 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.1% | 265 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.4% | 232 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 222 |
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 | 455 | 9.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,808 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,433 | 17.7% |
| 90-120k | 482 | 22.8% |
| 120-150k | 122 | 22.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 867 | 14.9% |
| 2022 | 839 | 12.9% |
| 2023 | 865 | 16.2% |
| 2024 | 885 | 16.8% |
| 2025 | 871 | 16.4% |
What to check before buying a 2014 California
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 6.6% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (6.6% 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 (4.4% 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.
- Brakes (4.3% 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.
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 2014 Volkswagen Californias pass their MOT?
84.5% of the 4,327 2014 Volkswagen California MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Volkswagen California?
Suspension, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by tyres (4.4%).
Does the 2014 California get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.2% in the 0-30k band to 22.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,327 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.