2017 Volkswagen California — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,270 MOT tests, the 2017 Volkswagen California recorded an 88.3% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 12.8% of the time, so this is 1.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.3%) and suspension (3.9%) 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 brake pads — coil spring alone was recorded 227 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.6% once past 90-120k — 2.8× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.3% | 313 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.9% | 281 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.9% | 208 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 150 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.2% | 86 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 62 |
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 | 227 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 144 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 125 |
| 4 | Wipers | 77 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 68 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 67 |
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 | 17.1% | 1,240 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.3% | 1,186 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.3% | 461 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.0% | 437 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 274 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 68 |
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 | 2,318 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 3,600 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,122 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 184 | 20.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 7,187 | 11.7% |
| Petrol | 83 | 10.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,413 | 8.6% |
| 2022 | 1,415 | 9.9% |
| 2023 | 1,460 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 1,459 | 12.1% |
| 2025 | 1,523 | 15.6% |
What to check before buying a 2017 California
On a 2017 California, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.3% 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 (3.9% 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 (2.9% 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.
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 2017 Volkswagen Californias pass their MOT?
88.3% of the 7,270 2017 Volkswagen California MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Volkswagen California?
Tyres, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by suspension (3.9%).
Does the 2017 California get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 0-30k band to 20.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,270 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.