Used car guide · 2010–2014

Volkswagen Passat B7: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Volkswagen Passat B7 did at the MOTs done during 2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 64,422 MOT tests.

2011best year: 64% pass first time, 3 points above all 2011 cars
2013weakest year: 67% pass first time, 1 points above all 2013 cars
Airbag warning lightthe weak spot that shows up in 3 different years

Which Volkswagen Passat B7 years are best and worst at their MOT?

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.

40%70%100%2010: 63% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%) 63% 2010*2011: 64% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%) 64% 20112012: 65% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%) 65% 20122013: 67% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%) 67% 20132014: 69% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%) 69% 2014*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
2010*63%59% +4Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.3× usual9,953
201164%61% +3Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.4× usual15,088
201265%63% +2Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.4× usual13,143
201367%66% +1Suspension arm bushes and joints 2.7× usual11,677
2014*69%69% +0Suspension arm 9.3× usual14,561

Common Volkswagen Passat B7 MOT failures, year after year

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 estimate

    At 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) 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and jointsup to 2.7× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2013, 2012, 2011.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link jointsup to 2.6× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2013, 2012, 2011.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At 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) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

What usually goes wrong with the Volkswagen Passat B7?

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.

    Source: Parkers: buying a used VW Passat B7

  • 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

    Source: Parkers: buying a used VW Passat B7

  • 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

    Source: Parkers: buying a used VW Passat B7

  • 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.

    Source: Parkers: buying a used VW Passat B7

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 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

Looking at a Volkswagen Passat?

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