Does the Volkswagen Phaeton fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The Volkswagen Phaeton records 16.48 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 26.40 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−9.92, 95% interval −11.12 to −8.71). It ranks 604 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a Volkswagen Phaeton by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Volkswagen Phaeton is “A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources”, recorded 243 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 243 | 3.50 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 168 | 2.42 |
| A direction indicator lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning | 121 | 1.74 |
| A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 74 | 1.07 |
| Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective | 63 | 0.91 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 6,940 (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
Other pages for this model
Volkswagen Phaeton by postcode area · Volkswagen Phaeton body, chassis and structure failures · Volkswagen Phaeton brakes failures · Volkswagen Phaeton vehicle identification failures · Volkswagen Phaeton noise, emissions and leaks failures · Volkswagen Phaeton road wheels failures · Volkswagen Phaeton steering failures · Volkswagen Phaeton suspension failures · Volkswagen Phaeton tyres failures · Volkswagen Phaeton visibility failures