Used car guide

2008 Volkswagen Jetta: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Volkswagen Jettas, from 1,252 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,252MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,500typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Volkswagen Jettas than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    16.8% All 2008 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 3.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    19.3% All 2008 cars
    11.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 2.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Rust in key structural areas4× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    3.6% All 2008 cars
    0.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Side repeaters2.2× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    3.3% All 2008 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Airbag warning light2.4× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    2.4% All 2008 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 0.9% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Exhaust system: 4.1% here, against 9% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Volkswagen Jetta MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    51% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    37% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    30% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    17% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Volkswagen Jetta?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016717Tyres 29%
20151,059Suspension 32%
2014906Suspension 39%
2013965Suspension 43%
20121,070Suspension 44%
2011801Suspension 48%
2010569Suspension 45%
2009865Suspension 50%
20071,566Suspension 53%
20061,057Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Volkswagen Jettas registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score