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VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2011)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 30,407 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,887

£157/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1380cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £1887/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Petrol1380cc15 years old30,407 tests144k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1380cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1380cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,887
Per month£157/mo
Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

77% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 15 years old, 77% of VOLKSWAGEN PASSATs from 2011 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 30,407 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 143,692 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2011 cars388th of 615(top 63%)
Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models821th of 1,118(top 73%)
vs national average-5%(82% avg)
vs 2011 cars average+0%(77% avg)
vs VOLKSWAGEN average-8%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

143,692

Average miles

vs

111,000

Expected for age

The average 2011 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 143,692 miles on the clock, which is above the expected 111,000 miles for a 15-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2023 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 68%. The 2011 sits between the two at 77%.

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202396%11528,795 mi
202295%11232,575 mi
202188%2,88348,544 mi
202091%3,69351,051 mi
201990%10,40164,414 mi
201889%17,76578,744 mi
201787%23,60491,978 mi
201686%25,422104,333 mi
201585%26,110113,668 mi
201481%26,568119,255 mi
201379%22,147127,390 mi
201278%25,128136,337 mi
201177%30,407143,692 mi
201076%21,533142,381 mi
200977%21,442142,464 mi
200875%17,841148,772 mi
200774%15,448152,684 mi
200672%10,368152,502 mi
200574%7,453156,295 mi
200473%6,247161,943 mi
200372%5,106162,240 mi
200272%3,237159,288 mi
200172%1,897161,435 mi
200068%891164,572 mi
199971%1,147167,995 mi
199871%946154,291 mi
199777%256150,194 mi
199684%142140,487 mi
199568%107149,628 mi
199473%86126,099 mi
199385%94188,041 mi
199276%83145,928 mi
199173%49149,661 mi
199081%54146,491 mi

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About the 2011 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

The 2011 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT is a small family car with a 1380cc petrol engine. 30,407 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2011, the average MOT pass rate is 77%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 143,692 miles at 15 years old, VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2011 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Fuel Costs

The 1380cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2011 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,887 157/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Reliability Trend

Newer VOLKSWAGEN PASSATs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2011 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

At 15 years old, the VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2023 model has the highest pass rate at 96%. With 30,407 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2011 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 144k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2011 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT(2011)77%£1137£195Grp 8-20£1887
VAUXHALL CORSA(2012)76%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£165
FORD FOCUS(2013)78%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£60
NISSAN QASHQAI(2013)72%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£60
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2011)75%£955£30Grp 5-15£1540-£347

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Related Guides

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