2019 Volkswagen Passat R-Line S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 285 MOT tests analysed for the 2019 Volkswagen Passat R-Line S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 90.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (89.9%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.7% | 19 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.1% | 6 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 5 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.4% | 4 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 3 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.4% | 1 |
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 | 9 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 5 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 3 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 3 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 2 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 1 |
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 | 22.1% | 63 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.0% | 57 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.9% | 14 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.6% | 13 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 3 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.7% | 2 |
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 | 78 | 7.7% |
| 30-60k | 126 | 10.3% |
| 60-90k | 44 | 6.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 183 | 7.6% |
| Petrol | 102 | 11.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 70 | 5.7% |
| 2023 | 71 | 12.7% |
| 2024 | 75 | 12.0% |
| 2025 | 66 | 6.1% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Passat R-Line S-A
Before buying a 2019 Volkswagen Passat R-Line S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.7% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.7% 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.
- Brakes (2.1% 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.
- 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.
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 2019 Volkswagen Passat R-Line S-As pass their MOT?
90.9% of the 285 2019 Volkswagen Passat R-Line S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Volkswagen Passat R-Line S-A?
Tyres, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by brakes (2.1%).
Does the 2019 Passat R-Line S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 0-30k band to 6.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 285 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.