Does the Volkswagen Passat fail the MOT on visibility more than it should?
The Volkswagen Passat records 7.82 visibility failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 8.34 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.52, 95% interval −0.57 to −0.47). It ranks 368 of 746 models on visibility (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on visibility · check a Volkswagen Passat by registration
What exactly fails on visibility?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Volkswagen Passat is “Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view”, recorded 48,082 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 48,082 | 3.61 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 21,528 | 1.62 |
| Wiper blade defective | 10,724 | 0.81 |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 10,571 | 0.79 |
| Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose | 4,231 | 0.32 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,330,863 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Volkswagen Passat gets a visibility advisory, how often does it fail next time?
9.4% of Volkswagen Passat MOTs with a visibility advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 8,596 miles later (1,308 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,308 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Volkswagen Passat 1998 · Volkswagen Passat 1999 · Volkswagen Passat 2000 · Volkswagen Passat 2001 · Volkswagen Passat 2002 · Volkswagen Passat 2003 · Volkswagen Passat 2004 · Volkswagen Passat 2005 · Volkswagen Passat 2006 · Volkswagen Passat 2007 · Volkswagen Passat 2008 · Volkswagen Passat 2009 · Volkswagen Passat 2010 · Volkswagen Passat 2011 · Volkswagen Passat 2012 · Volkswagen Passat 2013 · Volkswagen Passat 2014 · Volkswagen Passat 2015 · Volkswagen Passat 2016 · Volkswagen Passat 2017 · Volkswagen Passat 2018 · Volkswagen Passat 2019 · Volkswagen Passat 2020 · Volkswagen Passat in Norway · Volkswagen Passat in Finland · Volkswagen Passat in the Netherlands · Volkswagen Passat by postcode area · Volkswagen Passat body, chassis and structure failures · Volkswagen Passat brakes failures · Volkswagen Passat vehicle identification failures · Volkswagen Passat lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Volkswagen Passat noise, emissions and leaks failures · Volkswagen Passat road wheels failures · Volkswagen Passat seat belts and airbags failures · Volkswagen Passat steering failures · Volkswagen Passat suspension failures · Volkswagen Passat tyres failures