2008 Volkswagen Eos — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Volkswagen Eos passed 76.0% of its 17,922 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.1 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 21.0%. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 11.1% of tests against 7.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, joints and washers — coil spring alone was recorded 1,108 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.5% in the 0-30k band and 29.5% in the 150k+ band, a 20.0-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 23.1% fail against 24.8% for diesel, a 1.7-point gap across 17,922 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 31.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 11.1% | 1,989 |
| 2 | Tyres | 7.3% | 1,309 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.1% | 1,272 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 1,229 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 1,098 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 880 |
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 | 1,108 |
| 2 | Joints | 829 |
| 3 | Washers | 688 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 660 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 557 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 475 |
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 | 31.3% | 5,617 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.0% | 5,556 |
| 3 | Brakes | 26.7% | 4,785 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.7% | 1,908 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.9% | 1,414 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.3% | 1,317 |
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 | 200 | 9.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,801 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 5,590 | 22.4% |
| 90-120k | 5,878 | 25.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,103 | 27.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,334 | 29.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 9,555 | 24.8% |
| Petrol | 8,367 | 23.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,261 | 23.2% |
| 2022 | 4,026 | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 3,687 | 24.2% |
| 2024 | 3,205 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 2,743 | 25.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Eos
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 11.1% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (11.1% 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.
- Tyres (7.3% 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.
- Brakes (7.1% 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 2008 Volkswagen Eoss pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 17,922 2008 Volkswagen Eos MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Volkswagen Eos?
Suspension, recorded in 11.1% of tests, followed by tyres (7.3%).
Does the 2008 Eos get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.5% in the 0-30k band to 29.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 17,922 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.