Used car guide

2012 Volkswagen Passat: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Volkswagen Passats, from 13,139 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

13,139MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
10,500typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    24.5% All 2012 cars
    10.1%
    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.6× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    8.3% All 2012 cars
    3.2%
    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.

  • Suspension arm2.5× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    6.4% All 2012 cars
    2.6%
    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.

  • Airbag warning light6.8× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    4.1% All 2012 cars
    0.6%
    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.

  • Headlamp1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    7.9% All 2012 cars
    4.7%
    Rough price £40–£400

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 1.2% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars. Engine oil leaks: 3% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    39% 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
    25% 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.

  • 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
    6% 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?

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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%
201115,084Suspension 53%
20109,949Suspension 56%
20099,553Suspension 56%
20087,452Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Volkswagen Passats registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score