2003 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 59.3% of Volkswagen Passats first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. Across 8,246 Passat first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and body, chassis and structure.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Passats first used in 2003 (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
How the 2003 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Passats first used in 2003 against all cars first used in 2003 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Passat figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2003 Passat | All cars first used 2003 | Passat first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 56.0% | 54.0% | 5,730 |
| 2022 | 57.6% | 55.7% | 4,477 |
| 2023 | 57.3% | 56.7% | 3,471 |
| 2024 | 57.2% | 57.2% | 2,684 |
| 2025 | 59.3% | 58.7% | 2,091 |
Common 2003 Volkswagen Passat MOT failures
Share of the 3,482 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%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 20.9% | 727 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 12.4% | 432 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 10.9% | 378 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 10.5% | 366 |
| Position lamp: not working | 9.4% | 327 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Passat in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2003 Volkswagen Passat before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
Common 2003 Volkswagen Passat MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2003 Passats, as a share of all 8,246 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 20.5% | 1,691 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 20.3% | 1,671 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 17.7% | 1,457 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 14.3% | 1,178 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread | 10.9% | 902 |
Questions about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2003 Volkswagen Passat?
In 2025, 59.3% of Passats first used in 2003 passed their MOT first time, against 58.7% for all cars first used in 2003. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2003 Passat most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 48.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (35.4%) and body, chassis and structure (33.1%). The single most common item was “Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” (20.9%).
How often does a 2003 Volkswagen Passat fail its MOT?
In 2025, 40.7% of first tests on Passats first used in 2003 did not pass first time: 32.9% failed, and a further 7.8% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 3,482 of 8,246 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2003 Volkswagen Passat MOT advisories?
“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 20.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (20.3%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (17.7%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (14.3%) and “Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread” (10.9%).
Is a 2003 Volkswagen Passat 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 56.0% in 2021 to 59.3% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2003
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2003 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2003 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2003 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2003 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2003 Passat?
The numbers above cover every Passat first used in 2003 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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