Volkswagen ID.3 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Volkswagen ID.3 appears in 51,129 MOT tests spanning model years 2020–2025, and 92.0% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 8.3%, so the ID.3 sits squarely on the average. Its most common failure areas are tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests against 1.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 1,071 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 12.8% once past 120-150k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 3.7% of tests failed in 2022 against 8.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every ID.3 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 14,381 | 92.5% | 7.5% | Tyres |
| 2021 | 23,606 | 91.9% | 8.1% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 12,471 | 91.3% | 8.7% | Tyres |
| 2023 | 668 | 91.6% | 8.4% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 3,146 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 898 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.1% | 543 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.8% | 393 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 203 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.4% | 179 |
| 7 | Other defects | 0.1% | 77 |
| 8 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.1% | 26 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 1,071 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 902 |
| 3 | Wipers | 301 |
| 4 | Washers | 269 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 206 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 165 |
| 7 | Linkage ball joints | 141 |
| 8 | Service brake performance | 123 |
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 | 22.7% | 11,608 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.5% | 2,328 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.6% | 1,322 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.9% | 957 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.5% | 765 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 126 |
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 | 28,757 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 19,141 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,772 | 12.4% |
| 90-120k | 385 | 10.1% |
| 120-150k | 47 | 12.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 109 | 3.7% |
| 2023 | 5,399 | 6.2% |
| 2024 | 17,370 | 7.7% |
| 2025 | 28,241 | 8.6% |
What to check before buying a Volkswagen ID.3
- Tyres (6.2% 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 (1.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen ID.3?
92.0% of the 51,129 Volkswagen ID.3 MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 8.1% fail rate, across model years 2020–2025.
What does the Volkswagen ID.3 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, then lighting & signalling (1.8%).
How much does mileage affect ID.3 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 7.1% for cars in the 0-30k band and 12.8% for 120-150k, a 5.7-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 51,129 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.