2012 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 64.7% of Volkswagen Passats first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 42,136 Passat first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, tyres and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Passats first used in 2012 (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 2012 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Passats first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Passat figure was 1.2 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 Passat | All cars first used 2012 | Passat first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 70.3% | 68.8% | 16,181 |
| 2022 | 69.3% | 67.4% | 15,752 |
| 2023 | 67.2% | 65.6% | 14,994 |
| 2024 | 65.8% | 64.3% | 14,006 |
| 2025 | 64.7% | 63.5% | 13,136 |
Common 2012 Volkswagen Passat MOT failures
Share of the 14,347 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 15.6% | 2,236 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 14.6% | 2,096 |
| SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault | 12.4% | 1,783 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 12.4% | 1,774 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 10.7% | 1,538 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension 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 2012 Volkswagen Passat before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2012 Volkswagen Passat MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 Passats, as a share of all 42,136 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 24.1% | 10,149 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 19.6% | 8,263 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 12.6% | 5,312 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 9.5% | 3,982 |
| Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play | 6.3% | 2,664 |
Questions about the 2012 Volkswagen Passat MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Volkswagen Passat?
In 2025, 64.7% of Passats first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 Passat most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 47.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), tyres (31.1%) and lamps and electrical equipment (27.9%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (15.6%).
How often does a 2012 Volkswagen Passat fail its MOT?
In 2025, 35.3% of first tests on Passats first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 29.9% failed, and a further 5.4% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 14,347 of 42,136 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Volkswagen Passat MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 24.1% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (19.6%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.6%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (9.5%) and “Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play” (6.3%).
Is a 2012 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 70.3% in 2021 to 64.7% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 Passat?
The numbers above cover every Passat first used in 2012 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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