2023 Volkswagen ID.4 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 passed 94.2% of its 1,017 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (5.2% 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 4.8% of tests against 1.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and shock absorbers — tread depth alone was recorded 43 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 2.7% in the 0-30k band and 15.2% in the 90-120k band, a 12.5-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 13.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 1.5% of tests failed in 2023 against 8.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.8% | 49 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 18 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 12 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.8% | 8 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 3 |
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 | 43 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 9 |
| 4 | Washers | 8 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 4 |
| 6 | Wipers | 4 |
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 | 13.4% | 136 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.5% | 46 |
| 3 | Other defects | 1.8% | 18 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.3% | 13 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.1% | 11 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.5% | 5 |
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 | 451 | 2.7% |
| 30-60k | 369 | 6.2% |
| 60-90k | 162 | 11.7% |
| 90-120k | 33 | 15.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 65 | 1.5% |
| 2024 | 352 | 2.3% |
| 2025 | 600 | 8.3% |
What to check before buying a 2023 ID.4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.8% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.8% 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 (1.2% 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 2023 Volkswagen ID.4s pass their MOT?
94.2% of the 1,017 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Volkswagen ID.4?
Tyres, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.8%).
Does the 2023 ID.4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.7% in the 0-30k band to 15.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,017 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.