2019 Volkswagen California — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,862 MOT tests, the 2019 Volkswagen California recorded a 91.0% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 10.2% of the time, so this is 1.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.6%) and suspension (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, coil spring and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 89 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 18.0% once past 60-90k — 2.8× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 16.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 2.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.6% | 225 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.2% | 107 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 88 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.8% | 87 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.9% | 42 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 35 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 89 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 64 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 44 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 34 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 33 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 32 |
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 | 16.6% | 805 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.3% | 503 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.3% | 305 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.4% | 215 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 134 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 35 |
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 | 2,868 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,766 | 12.3% |
| 60-90k | 206 | 18.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 34 | 2.9% |
| 2022 | 1,150 | 5.3% |
| 2023 | 1,200 | 8.2% |
| 2024 | 1,214 | 10.5% |
| 2025 | 1,264 | 12.1% |
What to check before buying a 2019 California
On a 2019 California, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.6% 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 (2.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.8% 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 2019 Volkswagen Californias pass their MOT?
91.0% of the 4,862 2019 Volkswagen California MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Volkswagen California?
Tyres, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by suspension (2.2%).
Does the 2019 California get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 18.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,862 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.