Used car guide

2005 Volkswagen Passat: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Volkswagen Passats, from 2,928 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,928MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
7,800typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Volkswagen Passats than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.2× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    23.2% All 2005 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.5%, against 3.2% of all 2005 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× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    21.1% All 2005 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.3% of all 2005 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes4.2× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    7.2% All 2005 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.4% of all 2005 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.

  • Shock absorbers1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    11.9% All 2005 cars
    6.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 1.7% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Diesel smoke emissions5.1× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    4.1% All 2005 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.7% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 5.2% here, against 14.9% of all 2005 cars. Rust around suspension or steering mountings: 1.1% here, against 6% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    39% 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
    36% 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.

  • Tyres
    35% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    23% 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
    21% 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 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%
20042,404Suspension 49%
20032,104Suspension 51%
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 2005 Volkswagen Passats registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score