Used car guide

2021 Volkswagen California: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Volkswagen California first registered in 2021: we looked at the 897 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

897MOTs of 2021 cars, done in 2025
88%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
6,700typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Volkswagen California?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Volkswagen California than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Shock absorbers2.8× usual
    Volkswagen California
    4.7% All 2021 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.3% of all 2021 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.

Better than most

Brake discs: 2.3% here, against 7.1% of all 2021 cars.

Common 2021 Volkswagen California MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Volkswagen California MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    17% 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.

  • Suspension
    9% 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.

  • Brakes
    7% 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
    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
    2% 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
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Volkswagen California

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2021 Volkswagen California as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen California?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volkswagen California compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
20221,564Tyres 17%
2020680Tyres 18%
20191,297Tyres 22%
20181,160Tyres 22%
20171,303Tyres 23%
2016853Tyres 22%
2015903Tyres 23%
2014745Suspension 23%
2013595Suspension 31%
2012588Suspension 27%
2011389Suspension 27%
2010336Suspension 31%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Volkswagen California cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score