Used car guide

2014 Volkswagen Passat: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Volkswagen Passats, from 14,559 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

14,559MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)
10,600typical miles a year
9.3×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

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

  • Suspension arm9.3× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    15.8% All 2014 cars
    1.7%
    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    20.8% All 2014 cars
    8.2%
    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.

  • Number plates1.6× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    4.2% All 2014 cars
    2.6%
    Rough price £5–£40

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Link ball joint covers2.1× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    2.9% All 2014 cars
    1.4%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints1.5× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    2.5% All 2014 cars
    1.7%
    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.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 0.6% here, against 5.2% of all 2014 cars. Track rod end: 1% here, against 4.5% of all 2014 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    43% 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
    37% 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
    24% 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
    15% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    4% 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?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20196,192Tyres 29%
201810,766Tyres 30%
201713,908Tyres 30%
201614,968Tyres 31%
201515,231Tyres 32%
201311,676Suspension 46%
201213,139Suspension 50%
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 2014 Volkswagen Passats registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score