Used car guide · 2007–2026

Volkswagen California common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volkswagen California, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 30,023 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2025 Volkswagen California

Cars registered in 2025 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Volkswagen California as a whole.

140on the UK register at the end of 2025
2028first MOT due
Dieselmost common fuel (also plug-in hybrid)
What to check on a 2025 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007

What usually goes wrong with a Volkswagen California?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Volkswagen California in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Volkswagen California MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Diesel

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Volkswagen California MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2010 Volkswagen California did best (73% passed first time, 13 points above all 2010 cars) and the 2022 did worst (91%, 2 points above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202291%89% +21,585
202190%87% +31,726
202091%87% +42,004
201987%85% +23,818
201885%83% +23,413
201783%80% +33,836
201681%77% +42,523
201580%74% +62,697
201478%70% +82,208
201377%67% +101,769
201274%64% +101,761
201174%62% +121,160
201073%60% +13999
200971%59% +12149 (small sample)
200870%57% +13223 (small sample)
200772%57% +15152 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 anti-lock braking system? (Flagged at MOT 12× as often on the Volkswagen California as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the Volkswagen California as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the airbag warning light? (Flagged at MOT 9.7× as often on the Volkswagen California as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score