2015 Volkswagen California — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,233 MOT tests analysed for the 2015 Volkswagen California, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 86.1% was above the average for cars of a similar age (84.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 19.5% in the 150k+ group versus 8.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.3% | 278 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.9% | 257 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.8% | 196 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 128 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 82 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.5% | 77 |
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 | 198 |
| 2 | Anti-lock braking system | 119 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 116 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 93 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 88 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 72 |
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 | 18.7% | 980 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.3% | 750 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.0% | 521 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.8% | 305 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 265 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.8% | 200 |
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 | 903 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,444 | 12.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,425 | 17.5% |
| 90-120k | 328 | 19.8% |
| 120-150k | 92 | 23.9% |
| 150k+ | 41 | 19.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,015 | 10.7% |
| 2022 | 1,039 | 13.2% |
| 2023 | 1,039 | 14.3% |
| 2024 | 1,085 | 15.6% |
| 2025 | 1,055 | 15.4% |
What to check before buying a 2015 California
Before buying a 2015 Volkswagen California, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.3% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.3% 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 (4.9% 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 (3.8% 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 2015 Volkswagen Californias pass their MOT?
86.1% of the 5,233 2015 Volkswagen California MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Volkswagen California?
Tyres, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by suspension (4.9%).
Does the 2015 California get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 19.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,233 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.