2023 Volkswagen Multivan — MOT failures & pass rate
2,025 MOT tests on the 2023 Volkswagen Multivan are in this dataset, and 96.4% of them passed. That is 2.2 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 5.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.7%) and tyres (1.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 143 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 1.5% in the 0-30k band and 7.5% in the 90-120k band, a 6.0-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 9.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.7% | 96 |
| 2 | Tyres | 1.9% | 39 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 24 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.1% | 22 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 17 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 5 |
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 | 143 |
| 2 | Washers | 25 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 20 |
| 4 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 17 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 17 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 15 |
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 | 9.2% | 187 |
| 2 | Visibility | 0.9% | 19 |
| 3 | Other defects | 0.6% | 13 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.6% | 12 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 9 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.1% | 3 |
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 | 713 | 1.5% |
| 30-60k | 872 | 4.1% |
| 60-90k | 380 | 5.0% |
| 90-120k | 53 | 7.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 968 | 2.4% |
| 2025 | 1,043 | 4.7% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Multivan
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 4.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (4.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (1.9% 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.
- 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 Multivans pass their MOT?
96.4% of the 2,025 2023 Volkswagen Multivan MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Volkswagen Multivan?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by tyres (1.9%).
Does the 2023 Multivan get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 1.5% in the 0-30k band to 7.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,025 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.