2020 Volkswagen California — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 376 MOT tests, the 2020 Volkswagen California recorded a 90.4% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 9.3%, so the 2020 California sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.1% of all tests — 4.3 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, tread depth and headlamp aim — registration plates alone was recorded 6 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 18.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.9% of tests failed in 2023 against 15.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 23 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 7 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.3% | 5 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.3% | 5 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 4 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.8% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plates | 6 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 5 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 4 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 3 |
| 6 | Anti-lock braking system | 3 |
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 | 18.1% | 68 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.0% | 34 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.9% | 22 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.0% | 15 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 15 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.1% | 4 |
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 | 247 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 117 | 15.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 118 | 5.9% |
| 2024 | 115 | 7.0% |
| 2025 | 134 | 15.7% |
What to check before buying a 2020 California
On a 2020 California, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.3% 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.
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 2020 Volkswagen Californias pass their MOT?
90.4% of the 376 2020 Volkswagen California MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen California?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.9%).
Does the 2020 California get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 15.4% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 376 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.