2017 Volkswagen Passat — MOT failures & pass rate
80,941 MOT tests on the 2017 Volkswagen Passat are in this dataset, and 87.8% of them passed. That is 1.5 percentage points better than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 13.7%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.9%) and suspension (3.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, tread depth and headlamp aim — shock absorbers alone was recorded 3,028 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.2% in the 0-30k band and 12.7% in the 150k+ band, a 5.5-point spread.
Split by fuel, hybrid examples fail 1.6pp more often than petrol ones (12.4% vs 10.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.9% | 4,798 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.7% | 2,999 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.9% | 2,385 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.1% | 1,682 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.7% | 1,348 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 904 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 3,028 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 2,621 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 2,082 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 1,196 |
| 5 | Wipers | 1,087 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 783 |
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 | 24.0% | 19,414 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.4% | 15,702 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.3% | 6,718 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.0% | 5,652 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 3,109 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 590 |
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 | 5,096 | 7.2% |
| 30-60k | 24,173 | 9.9% |
| 60-90k | 24,841 | 12.8% |
| 90-120k | 15,089 | 15.5% |
| 120-150k | 6,519 | 14.3% |
| 150k+ | 5,219 | 12.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 69,979 | 12.2% |
| Hybrid | 7,890 | 12.4% |
| Petrol | 3,072 | 10.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,553 | 11.2% |
| 2022 | 16,031 | 10.7% |
| 2023 | 16,184 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 16,182 | 13.3% |
| 2025 | 15,991 | 13.9% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Passat
On a 2017 Passat, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.9% 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.
- Suspension (3.7% 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 (2.9% 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 2017 Volkswagen Passats pass their MOT?
87.8% of the 80,941 2017 Volkswagen Passat MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Volkswagen Passat?
Tyres, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by suspension (3.7%).
Does the 2017 Passat get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.2% in the 0-30k band to 12.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 80,941 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.