Volkswagen
6,233 MOT tests analysed. lands in the middle of the pack — here's where Unclassifieds pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 2.7 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
74.8%
Pass-after-fix
3.5%
Fail
20.8%
Avg miles
88,347
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Could not determine Euro standard — check the V5C or use the government's online ULEZ checker.
Performance by cohort
2 year bands · 6,187 tests
Pass rate climbs 14.1 points across the cohorts — newer Unclassified examples clear the test more reliably than the early cars.
Pass
73.7%
Fail
21.8%
PRS
3.7%
Avg mileage at test
92,659 mi
Pass
87.8%
Fail
9.6%
PRS
1.2%
Avg mileage at test
36,788 mi
Cohort = vehicle's first-registration year band. Same model, different generations of build.
The picture
Across 3,565 MOT tests, the Unclassified returns 74.2% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a number-plate lamp out. A split CV-joint boot and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 84,024, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Around the UK fleet average for insurance cost. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
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A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
148 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
133 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
126 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
122 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
115 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
108 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
106 occurrences · 1.7% of tests
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
101 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
95 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
82 occurrences · 1.3% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£88–£275
If every one of this Unclassified's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Build your own retest budget.
Year-band analysis
First-time MOT pass rate split by registration band. A 14.1-point gap between bands means the year you buy Volkswagen Unclassified has a real effect on what turns up at the garage.
Best band to buy
87.8%
2018–2020 registration
the 2018–2020 band climbs to 87.8% — a 14.1-point improvement. Tests in this band average 36,788 miles — roughly 56K miles fewer on the clock than the older band. Failures here are mostly wear items: damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view, has a tear, caused by separation or… — the structural issues that drag down older examples don't appear in the top-10 for this band. The stricter post-2018 MOT test rules meant manufacturers had to tighten up emissions and electrical checks, but this band still shows far fewer major failures on suspension and bodywork than the older fleet.
Band to be cautious about
73.7%
Pre-2018 registration
On the older band (pre-2018), the data shows a 73.7% pass rate against a fleet average of 87.8% on the newer band. The main culprits logged at test: inoperative in the case of multiple lamps…, constant velocity boot severely deteriorated, and not working. Average mileage on test for this band is 92,659 miles — high-mileage wear items are a recurring theme.
Best band to buy: 2018-2020 (87.8% first-time pass). Worst band to avoid: pre-2018 (73.7% pass). That's a 14.1-point spread across 5,760 older tests and 427 newer ones — year of build makes a material difference on this model.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
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Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own an Unclassified and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.
