Used car guide

2003 Volkswagen Passat: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Volkswagen Passats, from 2,104 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,104MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
7,300typical miles a year
3.1×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Volkswagen Passats than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.1× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    20.6% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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 joints2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    18.1% All 2003 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.8% of all 2003 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.

  • Brake discs1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    21.2% All 2003 cars
    12.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.8% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes3.9× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    7.7% All 2003 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Ball joint1.9× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    11.9% All 2003 cars
    6.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 2.7% of all 2003 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.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 5.9% here, against 18.3% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Volkswagen Passat 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.

  • Brakes
    39% 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
    38% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    21% 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 Passat?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20222,480Tyres 28%
20213,675Tyres 28%
20205,842Tyres 27%
20197,334Tyres 29%
201810,770Tyres 30%
201713,909Tyres 30%
201614,973Tyres 31%
201515,235Tyres 32%
201414,561Suspension 43%
201311,677Suspension 46%
201213,143Suspension 50%
201115,088Suspension 53%
20109,953Suspension 56%
20099,559Suspension 56%
20087,455Suspension 57%
20076,006Suspension 59%
20063,912Suspension 61%
20052,928Suspension 51%
20042,404Suspension 49%
20021,324Suspension 50%
2001774Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Volkswagen Passats registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score