2021 Volkswagen ID.4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,678 MOT tests, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 recorded a 91.7% pass rate. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (7.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.9% of tests against 1.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 248 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 ID.4 fails 7.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 4.8% at 120-150k, a spread of only 2.3 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 2.9% of tests failed in 2022 against 9.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.9% | 868 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 173 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 149 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.8% | 106 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 32 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 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 | 248 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 146 |
| 3 | Wipers | 80 |
| 4 | Washers | 75 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 66 |
| 6 | Size/type | 34 |
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 | 20.5% | 2,604 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.5% | 576 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.4% | 434 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.0% | 255 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.4% | 172 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 38 |
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 | 4,195 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 5,931 | 8.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,141 | 9.0% |
| 90-120k | 344 | 10.8% |
| 120-150k | 42 | 4.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 726 | 2.9% |
| 2023 | 1,142 | 3.6% |
| 2024 | 5,440 | 9.4% |
| 2025 | 5,366 | 9.1% |
What to check before buying a 2021 ID.4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.9% 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 (1.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.2% 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
How many 2021 Volkswagen ID.4s pass their MOT?
91.7% of the 12,678 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen ID.4?
Tyres, recorded in 6.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.4%).
Does the 2021 ID.4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 4.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,678 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.