Used car guide

2008 Volkswagen Passat: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Volkswagen Passats, from 7,452 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,452MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
8,700typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    26.3% All 2008 cars
    11.3%
    Rough price £100–£300

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

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    16.6% All 2008 cars
    7.2%
    Rough price £60–£350

    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.

  • Sub-frame2× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    15.6% All 2008 cars
    7.8%
    Rough price £300–£1,000

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    8.8% All 2008 cars
    4.2%
    Rough price £50–£150

    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.

  • Engine warning light2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    5.6% All 2008 cars
    2.7%
    Rough price £10–£80

    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

Rigid brake pipes: 2.6% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Stop lamp: 0.9% here, against 5.8% of all 2008 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    57% 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
    40% 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
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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 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
20196,192Tyres 29%
201810,766Tyres 30%
201713,908Tyres 30%
201614,968Tyres 31%
201515,231Tyres 32%
201414,559Suspension 43%
201311,676Suspension 46%
201213,139Suspension 50%
201115,084Suspension 53%
20109,949Suspension 56%
20099,553Suspension 56%

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