Used car guide

2012 Volkswagen Jetta: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Volkswagen Jettas, from 1,070 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,070MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,600typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for coil springs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Volkswagen Jettas than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Coil springs1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    16.6% All 2012 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Suspension arm2.7× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    6.9% All 2012 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Link ball joint covers2× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    5.1% All 2012 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.9× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    2.9% All 2012 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 2.7% here, against 6.5% of all 2012 cars. Number plate lights: 3.6% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Volkswagen Jetta MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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
    32% 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.

  • Brakes
    26% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    18% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    8% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Volkswagen Jetta?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016717Tyres 29%
20151,059Suspension 32%
2014906Suspension 39%
2013965Suspension 43%
2011801Suspension 48%
2010569Suspension 45%
2009865Suspension 50%
20081,252Suspension 51%
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 2012 Volkswagen Jettas registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score