2006 Volkswagen Jetta — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 12,280 MOT tests, the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta recorded a 73.2% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 27.4%, so the 2006 Jetta sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (13.4%) and lighting & signalling (13.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,082 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 27.6% versus 32.3%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.9pp more often than petrol ones (27.3% vs 24.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.4% | 1,647 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 1,641 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.2% | 1,130 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 917 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.3% | 773 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.6% | 683 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,082 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 778 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 731 |
| 4 | Joints | 606 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 520 |
| 6 | Washers | 464 |
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 | 36.3% | 4,453 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.5% | 3,748 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.1% | 3,454 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.4% | 2,755 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.5% | 1,657 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.9% | 1,456 |
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 | 62 | 32.3% |
| 30-60k | 420 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,389 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 2,967 | 26.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,439 | 28.5% |
| 150k+ | 3,956 | 27.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 10,503 | 27.3% |
| Petrol | 1,777 | 24.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,708 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 3,028 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 2,419 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 1,810 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 1,315 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Jetta
On a 2006 Jetta, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.2% 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 2006 Volkswagen Jettas pass their MOT?
73.2% of the 12,280 2006 Volkswagen Jetta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta?
Suspension, recorded in 13.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.4%).
Does the 2006 Jetta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.3% in the 0-30k band to 27.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,280 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.