What year Volkswagen Passat Cl is most reliable?

Based on MOT first-test pass rates, the 1983 Volkswagen Passat Cl has the highest pass rate at 85.7%, out of 3,795 vehicles tested.

What are the most common Volkswagen Passat Cl MOT failures?

The most common Volkswagen Passat Cl MOT failures vary by year. Check the individual year pages for detailed defect breakdowns — links in the table above.

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Volkswagen Passat Cl — Reliability by Year

33,930 vehicles · MOT data 1981–1996 · first-test pass rates

This page shows MOT first-test pass rates for each year the Volkswagen Passat Cl was manufactured — click any year to explore that cohort in detail. Trying to decide which year to buy? See the full buying guide →

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Best pass rate year

1983

85.7% pass rate · 3,795 vehicles

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Lowest pass rate year

1994

50.8% pass rate · 1,283 vehicles

Year	Pass rate	Avg mileage	Vehicles
1996	—	—	331
1995	75.0%	96,442 mi	425
1994	50.8%	89,545 mi	1,283
1993	—	—	711
1992	—	—	1,095
1991	—	—	2,222
1990	—	—	4,275
1989	—	—	3,859
1988	—	—	2,242
1987	—	—	1,757
1986	—	—	2,953
1985	—	—	2,790
1984	—	—	2,487
1983	85.7%	148,932 mi	3,795
1982	—	—	3,491
1981	—	—	214

Which year Volkswagen Passat Cl is most reliable?

MOT pass rate by year of manufacture — averaged across each vehicle's lifetime of tests. Green = noticeably above average for this model; red = noticeably below average.

Tests range from an average of 89,545 miles (newest year) to 148,932 miles (oldest year). Older years naturally accumulate more tests at higher mileages — see the mileage-normalised breakdown →

Trying to decide which year to buy?

We've done the full analysis — which years to look for, which to avoid, and where to find the best value for reliability on a Volkswagen Passat Cl.

See the buying guide →

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