Volkswagen Jetta MOT Pass Rates and Running Costs by Year

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 16 model years from 24,768 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

78%

Total Tests

24,768

Highest Pass Rate

1991 (87%)

Years Covered

About the Volkswagen Jetta

The Volkswagen Jetta was MOT tested 24,768 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 16 model years (1990 to 2018), with an average pass rate of 78%. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1991 model has the highest pass rate at 87% from 217 tests. The 2008 model has the lowest at 72%. The 15 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

The Volkswagen Jetta has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 126,764 miles, while the newest (2018) averages 62,425 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Volkswagen brand average of 85%, the Jetta is 7 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Volkswagen models.

What the Volkswagen Jetta fails its MOT on most

Of 4,003 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Jetta that failed at the first attempt in 2025 (DVSA data), the share that failed on each area:

47%
Suspension
Same age: 38%
32%
Lights and electrics
Same age: 44%
24%
Brakes
Same age: 24%

Volkswagen Jetta reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1400cc)

£1,398

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,853

Per month£154/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2018 details

How reliable is the Volkswagen Jetta?

vs average of all models-4% (82% avg)

vs Volkswagen brand average-7% (85% avg)

Best to worst year spread15 percentage points

Reliability trendStable over years

Volkswagen Jetta by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	90%	40	62,425 mi
2017	81%	593	59,639 mi
2016	82%	1,321	75,513 mi
2015	80%	2,021	83,208 mi
2014	78%	1,754	96,885 mi
2013	77%	1,876	100,152 mi
2012	78%	2,074	113,174 mi
2011	78%	1,645	116,779 mi
2010	79%	1,138	113,968 mi
2009	77%	1,967	118,308 mi
2008	72%	3,010	130,113 mi
2007	74%	3,885	133,468 mi
2006	74%	3,004	135,613 mi
2005	62%	66	148,664 mi
1991	87%	217	126,890 mi
1990	82%	157	126,764 mi

Questions about the Volkswagen Jetta

Is the Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

Across its 16 model years in our data (1990 to 2018), the Volkswagen Jetta averages a 78% MOT pass rate, from 24,768 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 4 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 1991 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 87%.

Which year Volkswagen Jetta has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta has the highest MOT pass rate at 87%, while the 2008 model has the lowest at 72%, a 15 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.