Volkswagen T25 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Volkswagen T25 appears in 1,352 MOT tests spanning model years 1980–2019, and 72.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (20.7% fail rate), the T25 comes out 7.2pp worse. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests against 11.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 122 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the T25 fails 28.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 28.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.2 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 36.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.9% in 2021 to 26.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every T25 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 55 | 70.9% | 29.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1982 | 115 | 67.8% | 32.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1983 | 86 | 66.3% | 33.7% | Brakes |
| 1984 | 73 | 74.0% | 26.0% | Brakes |
| 1985 | 123 | 69.9% | 30.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1986 | 70 | 67.1% | 32.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1987 | 110 | 79.1% | 20.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1988 | 53 | 64.1% | 35.9% | Suspension |
| 1989 | 244 | 72.5% | 27.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1990 | 204 | 75.0% | 25.0% | Brakes |
| 1991 | 68 | 85.3% | 14.7% | Brakes |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 210 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.9% | 161 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.8% | 160 |
| 4 | Visibility | 8.6% | 117 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 107 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.0% | 81 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 70 |
| 8 | Tyres | 3.1% | 42 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 122 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 107 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 78 |
| 4 | Wipers | 77 |
| 5 | Washers | 75 |
| 6 | Steering rack | 72 |
| 7 | Headlamp | 64 |
| 8 | Position lamp | 58 |
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 | 36.1% | 488 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.1% | 366 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.3% | 207 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.3% | 193 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 160 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.2% | 151 |
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 | 148 | 28.4% |
| 30-60k | 216 | 30.6% |
| 60-90k | 213 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 220 | 23.2% |
| 120-150k | 253 | 29.3% |
| 150k+ | 302 | 28.1% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 940 | 27.1% |
| Diesel | 412 | 29.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 354 | 29.9% |
| 2022 | 303 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 258 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 224 | 24.1% |
| 2025 | 213 | 26.3% |
What to check before buying a Volkswagen T25
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.9% 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 (11.8% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen T25?
72.1% of the 1,352 Volkswagen T25 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 27.9% fail rate, across model years 1980–2019.
What does the Volkswagen T25 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, then brakes (11.9%).
How much does mileage affect T25 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 28.4% for cars in the 0-30k band and 28.1% for 150k+, a 0.2-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,352 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.