2006 Volkswagen Eos — MOT failures & pass rate
8,112 MOT tests on the 2006 Volkswagen Eos are in this dataset, and 73.0% of them passed. That is 5.1 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 21.9%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 13.3% of tests against 9.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are joints, coil spring and linkage ball joint dust cover — joints alone was recorded 555 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.8% in the 0-30k band and 28.0% in the 150k+ band, a 10.2-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 26.3% fail against 28.2% for diesel, a 1.9-point gap across 8,112 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 38.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.3% | 1,075 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.3% | 758 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 699 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 642 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.6% | 619 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 416 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 555 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 484 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 369 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 363 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 357 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 343 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 38.0% | 3,083 |
| 2 | Tyres | 31.4% | 2,548 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.3% | 2,052 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.0% | 1,136 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 697 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.4% | 682 |
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 | 101 | 17.8% |
| 30-60k | 722 | 20.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,299 | 26.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,691 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,560 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 675 | 28.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,208 | 26.3% |
| Diesel | 2,904 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,248 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 1,935 | 26.6% |
| 2023 | 1,613 | 26.8% |
| 2024 | 1,276 | 27.0% |
| 2025 | 1,040 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Eos
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 13.3% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (13.3% 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.
- Brakes (9.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.6% 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 2006 Volkswagen Eoss pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 8,112 2006 Volkswagen Eos MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volkswagen Eos?
Suspension, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by brakes (9.3%).
Does the 2006 Eos get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.8% in the 0-30k band to 28.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,112 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.