2011 Volkswagen Jetta MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 64.4% of Volkswagen Jettas first used in 2011 passed their MOT first time, against 61.2% for all cars first used in 2011. Across 2,707 Jetta first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Jettas first used in 2011 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
64.4%
of 798 first tests; all cars first used in 2011: 61.2%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
2,707
first tests, 2023–2025; 798 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
26.3%
of 798 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
113,000
middle half: 90,500–146,000 miles; all cars first used in 2011: 98,000

How the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Jettas first used in 2011 against all cars first used in 2011 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Jetta figure was 3.2 points higher.

2011 JettaAll cars first used in 2011
60%70%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2011, test year 2021: 65.8%All cars first used in 2011, test year 2022: 64.5%All cars first used in 2011, test year 2023: 63%All cars first used in 2011, test year 2024: 61.8%All cars first used in 2011, test year 2025: 61.2%2011 Jetta, test year 2021: 66.4%2011 Jetta, test year 2022: 65.3%2011 Jetta, test year 2023: 65.2%2011 Jetta, test year 2024: 64.1%2011 Jetta, test year 2025: 64.4%64.4%61.2%
View this chart as a table
Test year2011 JettaAll cars first used 2011Jetta first tests
202166.4%65.8%1,146
202265.3%64.5%1,101
202365.2%63.0%1,001
202464.1%61.8%908
202564.4%61.2%798

Common 2011 Volkswagen Jetta MOT failures

Share of the 958 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Suspension56.7%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment28.8%
Brakes22.9%
Tyres19.7%
Visibility10.4%
Body, chassis, structure9.6%
Noise, emissions and leaks6.7%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems4.3%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Coil spring: fractured or broken20.1%193
Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn14.5%139
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt11.7%112
Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm8.1%78
Position lamp: not working7.1%68

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

Typical repair costs for common MOT failures

Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Jetta in particular, and not a quote.

Failure itemTypical jobTypical UK priceUsual range
Coil spring: fractured or brokenCoil spring replacement£248£175–£400
Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively wornSuspension arm replacement£150£120–£180

From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.

What to check on a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  2. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  3. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.

Common 2011 Volkswagen Jetta MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2011 Jettas, as a share of all 2,707 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge19.7%533
Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement12.5%339
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened12.0%325
Coil spring: corroded6.7%181
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.2%167

Questions about the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta?

In 2025, 64.4% of Jettas first used in 2011 passed their MOT first time, against 61.2% for all cars first used in 2011. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2011 Jetta most often fail its MOT on?

Suspension (in 56.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (28.8%) and brakes (22.9%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (20.1%).

How often does a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta fail its MOT?

In 2025, 35.6% of first tests on Jettas first used in 2011 did not pass first time: 30.6% failed, and a further 5.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 958 of 2,707 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2011 Volkswagen Jetta MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 19.7% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (12.5%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.0%), “Coil spring: corroded” (6.7%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (6.2%).

Is a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 66.4% in 2021 to 64.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2011

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2011 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2011 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2011 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2011 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2011 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2011 Jetta” means a Volkswagen Jetta whose date of first use falls in 2011 (60, 11 and 61 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2011, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Repair prices are typical UK prices for the job from published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026 — not for this model, and not a quote. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.