Used car guide

2014 Volkswagen Jetta: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Volkswagen Jettas, from 906 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

906MOT tests in 2025
67%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
8,700typical miles a year
5.4×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Volkswagen Jettas than on all cars registered in 2014.

  • Suspension arm5.4× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    9.1% All 2014 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.1% of all 2014 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.

  • Coil springs2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    14.1% All 2014 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 3.4% of all 2014 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.

  • Braking performance1.9× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    7.7% All 2014 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.5% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    5.4% All 2014 cars
    2.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.5% of all 2014 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.

By area

The share of 2014 Volkswagen Jetta MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% 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
    28% 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
    13% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    5% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Looking at a Volkswagen Jetta?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016717Tyres 29%
20151,059Suspension 32%
2013965Suspension 43%
20121,070Suspension 44%
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 2014 Volkswagen Jettas registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score