Part of the Volkswagen Passat B8 (2014–2023) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2022 Volkswagen Passat: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2022 Volkswagen Passats, from 2,480 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,480MOT tests in 2025
87%pass first time (all 2022 cars: 89%)
14,100typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2022 Volkswagen Passats than on all cars registered in 2022.

  • Brake pads1.9× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    8.6% All 2022 cars
    4.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.8% of all 2022 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Shock absorbers3× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    3.6% All 2022 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2022 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.

  • Windscreen1.9× usual
    Volkswagen Passat
    3% All 2022 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2022 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

By area

The share of 2022 Volkswagen Passat MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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
    14% 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.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    4% 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.

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

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

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
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%
20052,928Suspension 51%
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 2022 Volkswagen Passats registered in 2022. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score