What year Volkswagen Passat S TDI is most reliable?

Based on MOT first-test pass rates, the 1998 Volkswagen Passat S TDI has the highest pass rate at 85.2%, out of 348 vehicles tested.

What are the most common Volkswagen Passat S TDI MOT failures?

The most common Volkswagen Passat S TDI 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 S TDI — Reliability by Year

4,211 vehicles · MOT data 1997–2008 · first-test pass rates

This page shows MOT first-test pass rates for each year the Volkswagen Passat S TDI 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

1998

85.2% pass rate · 348 vehicles

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Lowest pass rate year

2003

75.1% pass rate · 547 vehicles

Year	Pass rate	Avg mileage	Vehicles
2008	84.8%	155,401 mi	127
2007	81.0%	154,935 mi	154
2006	76.4%	151,974 mi	154
2005	79.2%	160,999 mi	100
2004	76.6%	174,989 mi	655
2003	75.1%	177,091 mi	547
2002	75.7%	180,571 mi	613
2001	76.4%	192,338 mi	547
2000	76.0%	184,597 mi	301
1999	75.7%	183,147 mi	317
1998	85.2%	195,383 mi	348
1997	80.6%	207,889 mi	348

Which year Volkswagen Passat S TDI is most reliable?

MOT pass rate by year of manufacture — averaged across each vehicle's lifetime of tests.

Tests range from an average of 151,974 miles (newest year) to 207,889 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 S TDI.

See the buying guide →

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