2006 Volkswagen Lt — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2006 Volkswagen Lt passed 69.3% of its 1,618 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 27.4% of the time, so this is 3.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (22.9%) and brakes (20.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, rbt (sp) and service brake performance — headlamp alone was recorded 194 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 27.2% in the 30-60k band and 31.5% in the 150k+ band, a 4.3-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.0% in 2021 to 28.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 22.9% | 370 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.5% | 331 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.1% | 147 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 108 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.8% | 94 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.2% | 68 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 194 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 180 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 137 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 123 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 123 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 112 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 42.1% | 681 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.8% | 612 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 26.6% | 431 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.7% | 302 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 279 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.6% | 187 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 81 | 27.2% |
| 60-90k | 148 | 28.4% |
| 90-120k | 314 | 30.3% |
| 120-150k | 373 | 31.4% |
| 150k+ | 692 | 31.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 297 | 31.0% |
| 2022 | 330 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 331 | 31.4% |
| 2024 | 355 | 30.7% |
| 2025 | 305 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Lt
On a 2006 Lt, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (22.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (20.5% 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.
- Suspension (9.1% 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.
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 Lts pass their MOT?
69.3% of the 1,618 2006 Volkswagen Lt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volkswagen Lt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 22.9% of tests, followed by brakes (20.5%).
Does the 2006 Lt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.2% in the 30-60k band to 31.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,618 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.