Volkswagen

Volkswagen Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDI (2011)

977 real MOT outcomes analysed • 85.9% first-time pass rate

2011 Volkswagen Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDI

CarHunch analysed 977 real MOT records for the 2011 Volkswagen Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDI. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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This 2011 Passat diesel has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 57.8%, significantly below the UK average of 80%, which means you should expect a higher chance of failing and needing repairs before it passes. The good news is that dangerous defects are essentially absent at 0%, so while this car needs attention, it's not unsafe in obvious ways.

With a median mileage of 132,371 miles for a 13-year-old car, these Passats have been driven hard but not beyond typical expectations. The average 0.68 failures per vehicle suggests structural issues rather than one-off problems, likely related to age and the demanding nature of diesel engines—factor in a pre-purchase inspection and budget for at least one MOT cycle of repairs before you buy.

The 2011 Volkswagen Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDI passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (85.9% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

First-time pass
85.9%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
0%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
0.68
Over 4.6 tests on record
Moderate
Typical mileage
132k
Middle half: 107k–155k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 85.9% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

These stats describe 977 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 977 Volkswagen Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDI cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2011 Volkswagen Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDI

Based on MOT data from 977 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Diesel (99%) 967 85.9% 0.68

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,893 Volkswagen Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDI vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Grey 26.4%
500
Black 24.7%
468
Silver 18.9%
358
White 10%
189
Blue 8.2%
156
Red 6.7%
126
Bronze 3.1%
58
Brown 2%
38

Mileage Distribution

Most 2011 Volkswagen Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDI vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

132,371
typical
107,377
low mileage
154,759
high mileage

Half of all 2011 Volkswagen Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDI vehicles fall between 107,377 and 154,759 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 107,377 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
107,377–154,759 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2011 Volkswagen Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDIs sit.
Over 208,924 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2011 Volkswagen Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDI — Still on the Road

Most 2011 Volkswagen Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDIs are still being driven.

417 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 78% of the peak remain.

281 417 2017 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

4.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.68
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Volkswagen Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDI: All Passat SE Bluemotion Tech TDI years → Which year to buy? →
2012

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