Used car guide

2018 Volkswagen Passat: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Volkswagen Passats, from 10,766 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

10,766MOT tests in 2025
84%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
11,700typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Volkswagen Passats than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Shock absorbers3.4× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    9.9% All 2018 cars
    2.9%
    Rough price £150–£400

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

By area

The share of 2018 Volkswagen Passat MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    30% 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
    20% 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.

  • Suspension
    13% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

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%
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%
20087,452Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Volkswagen Passats registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score