Volkswagen Passat
Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 34 years from 328,782 real MOT tests.
Avg Pass Rate
79%
Total Tests
328,782
Best Year
2023 (96%)
Years Covered
34
About the Volkswagen Passat
The Volkswagen Passat has been tested 328,782 times in 2026 MOT data across 34 model years (1990 to 2023), with an average pass rate of 79%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as petrol and diesel and hybrid.
Best and Worst Years
The 2023 model is the most reliable with a 96% pass rate from 115 tests. The 2000 model has the lowest at 68%. With a 28 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.
Reliability Trend
Newer VOLKSWAGEN PASSATs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.
Mileage Across Years
The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 146,491 miles, while the newest (2023) averages 28,795 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.
Compared to the Volkswagen brand average of 85%, the Passat is 6 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Volkswagen models.
Estimated Running Costs
Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.
Full 2023 detailsHow reliable is the Volkswagen Passat?
Volkswagen Passat by Year
Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 96% | 115 | 28,795 mi | |
| 2022 | 95% | 112 | 32,575 mi | |
| 2021 | 88% | 2,883 | 48,544 mi | |
| 2020 | 91% | 3,693 | 51,051 mi | |
| 2019 | 90% | 10,401 | 64,414 mi | |
| 2018 | 89% | 17,765 | 78,744 mi | |
| 2017 | 87% | 23,604 | 91,978 mi | |
| 2016 | 86% | 25,422 | 104,333 mi | |
| 2015 | 85% | 26,110 | 113,668 mi | |
| 2014 | 81% | 26,568 | 119,255 mi | |
| 2013 | 79% | 22,147 | 127,390 mi | |
| 2012 | 78% | 25,128 | 136,337 mi | |
| 2011 | 77% | 30,407 | 143,692 mi | |
| 2010 | 76% | 21,533 | 142,381 mi | |
| 2009 | 77% | 21,442 | 142,464 mi | |
| 2008 | 75% | 17,841 | 148,772 mi | |
| 2007 | 74% | 15,448 | 152,684 mi | |
| 2006 | 72% | 10,368 | 152,502 mi | |
| 2005 | 74% | 7,453 | 156,295 mi | |
| 2004 | 73% | 6,247 | 161,943 mi | |
| 2003 | 72% | 5,106 | 162,240 mi | |
| 2002 | 72% | 3,237 | 159,288 mi | |
| 2001 | 72% | 1,897 | 161,435 mi | |
| 2000 | 68% | 891 | 164,572 mi | |
| 1999 | 71% | 1,147 | 167,995 mi | |
| 1998 | 71% | 946 | 154,291 mi | |
| 1997 | 77% | 256 | 150,194 mi | |
| 1996 | 84% | 142 | 140,487 mi | |
| 1995 | 68% | 107 | 149,628 mi | |
| 1994 | 73% | 86 | 126,099 mi | |
| 1993 | 85% | 94 | 188,041 mi | |
| 1992 | 76% | 83 | 145,928 mi | |
| 1991 | 73% | 49 | 149,661 mi | |
| 1990 | 81% | 54 | 146,491 mi |
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