Does the Volkswagen Phaeton fail the MOT on visibility more than it should?
The Volkswagen Phaeton records 9.37 visibility failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 9.61 expected for a car of the same age mix: about as expected for its class and age (the difference is within its interval or under 0.5 items per 100 tests) (−0.24, 95% interval −0.97 to +0.49). It ranks 332 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 Phaeton by registration
What exactly fails on visibility?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Volkswagen Phaeton is “Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view”, recorded 262 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 | 262 | 3.78 |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 107 | 1.54 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 90 | 1.30 |
| Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose | 88 | 1.27 |
| Wiper blade defective | 60 | 0.86 |
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 lamps, reflectors and electrics 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