Is the Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

The Volkswagen Jetta has an average MOT pass rate of 78% across 16 years, based on 24,768 tests in 2026. That's 4 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2018 with a 90% pass rate.

Which year Volkswagen Jetta is best?

The 2018 Volkswagen Jetta has the highest MOT pass rate at 90%, while the 2005 model has the lowest at 62%. There's a 28 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Volkswagen Jetta

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 16 years from 24,768 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

78%

Total Tests

24,768

Best Year

2018 (90%)

Years Covered

About the Volkswagen Jetta

The Volkswagen Jetta has been tested 24,768 times in 2026 MOT data across 16 model years (1990 to 2018), with an average pass rate of 78%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as diesel and petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 2018 model is the most reliable with a 90% pass rate from 40 tests. The 2005 model has the lowest at 62%. With a 28 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer VOLKSWAGEN JETTAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

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.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1400cc)

£1,137

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,587

Per month£132/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2018 details

How reliable is the Volkswagen Jetta?

vs national average-4% (82% avg)

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

Best to worst year spread28 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving 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