Volkswagen Passat B7: best and worst years, and what goes wrong
How every year of the Volkswagen Passat B7 did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 64,407 MOT tests.
Year by year
First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Volkswagen Passat B7, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | Stands out | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010* | 63% | 59% +4 | Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.3× usual | 9,949 |
| 2011 | 64% | 61% +3 | Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.4× usual | 15,084 |
| 2012 | 65% | 63% +2 | Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.4× usual | 13,139 |
| 2013 | 67% | 66% +1 | Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.7× usual | 11,676 |
| 2014* | 69% | 69% +0 | Suspension arm 9.3× usual | 14,559 |
Weak spots across the Volkswagen Passat B7
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.
- Airbag warning lightup to 6.8× usual
Stands out in 3 years: 2013, 2012, 2011.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Suspension armup to 5× usual
Stands out in 3 years: 2013, 2012, 2011.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt 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 jointsup to 2.7× usual
Stands out in 3 years: 2013, 2012, 2011.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt 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 jointsup to 2.6× usual
Stands out in 3 years: 2013, 2012, 2011.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
- Link ball joint coversup to 2.2× usual
Stands out in 2 years: 2013, 2011.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Known faults
From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.
- Starter motor recall
A recall covered starter motors that could fail and, in rare cases, catch fire.
Check: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
- Early 7-speed dry-clutch DSG
Early seven-speed DSG automatics use a dry clutch, which is more fragile than the later wet-clutch gearboxes.
Check: Check for smooth, quick gear changes from a standstill and in slow traffic. Judder or slipping is a warning.
If it needs doing: Gearbox sensor or solenoid, about £200–£500. ClickMechanic
- Water pump failure (2.0 TDI)
The water pump is a known failure on the 2.0 TDI diesel.
Check: Look for coolant leaks and check the coolant level.
If it needs doing: Water pump, about £115–£375. ClickMechanic
- Diesel emissions recall
Many diesels were part of the emissions recall that followed the 'dieselgate' scandal.
Check: Ask a VW dealer to confirm the emissions fix was done.
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score
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