2020 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 88.4% of Volkswagen Passats first used in 2020 passed their MOT first time, against 86.0% for all cars first used in 2020. Across 17,989 Passat first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, brakes and suspension.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Passats first used in 2020 (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 2020 Volkswagen Passat MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Passats first used in 2020 against all cars first used in 2020 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Passat figure was 2.4 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2020 Passat | All cars first used 2020 | Passat first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | fewer than 500 tests | 84.7% | 78 |
| 2022 | fewer than 500 tests | 90.2% | 248 |
| 2023 | 86.9% | 87.7% | 6,057 |
| 2024 | 88.8% | 86.9% | 6,115 |
| 2025 | 88.4% | 86.0% | 5,817 |
Common 2020 Volkswagen Passat MOT failures
Share of the 2,154 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 17.3% | 373 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 15.5% | 334 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 14.8% | 318 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 11.7% | 252 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 6.9% | 148 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2020 Volkswagen Passat before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- 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.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
Common 2020 Volkswagen Passat MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2020 Passats, as a share of all 17,989 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 14.9% | 2,677 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 12.4% | 2,237 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 6.7% | 1,210 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 6.6% | 1,190 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 4.9% | 876 |
Questions about the 2020 Volkswagen Passat MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2020 Volkswagen Passat?
In 2025, 88.4% of Passats first used in 2020 passed their MOT first time, against 86.0% for all cars first used in 2020. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2020 Passat most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 51.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (15.8%) and suspension (13.5%). The single most common item was “Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords” (17.3%).
How often does a 2020 Volkswagen Passat fail its MOT?
In 2025, 11.6% of first tests on Passats first used in 2020 did not pass first time: 10.1% failed, and a further 1.4% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,154 of 17,989 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2020 Volkswagen Passat MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 14.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (12.4%), “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (6.7%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (6.6%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (4.9%).
Is a 2020 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 86.9% in 2023 to 88.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2020
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2020 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2020 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2020 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2020 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2020 MINI Hatch MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2020 Passat?
The numbers above cover every Passat first used in 2020 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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