Volkswagen Passat SE Nav TDI S A (2021)

208 real MOT outcomes analysed • 88.1% first-time pass rate

2021 Volkswagen Passat SE Nav TDI S A

CarHunch analysed 208 real MOT records for the 2021 Volkswagen Passat SE Nav TDI S A. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 2021 Passat TDI is more reliable than average, with an 88.1% first-time pass rate that beats the UK average by 8 percentage points, and a low dangerous defect rate of just 8.2% means serious safety issues are uncommon. The diesel engine appears to be holding up well, with owners averaging only 0.32 failures per MOT test.

At 50,338 miles median, these cars are running light for their age, suggesting gentle ownership and lower wear. The 2.1 advisories per vehicle are typical housekeeping stuff—minor maintenance alerts rather than structural problems—so budget for routine servicing but don't expect surprise repair bills; however, check the service history carefully when buying, as the diesel engine's longevity depends on regular oil changes.

Generally reliable 8.1% above UK average
88.1%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
50,338
typical mileage
35,725–70,605 middle half
8.2%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.32
avg MOT failures per car
over 3.1 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2021 Volkswagen Passat SE Nav TDI S A

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Volkswagen Passat SE Nav TDI S A

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Volkswagen Passat SE Nav TDI S A vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

35,725
low mileage
50,338
typical
70,605
high mileage

Half of all 2021 Volkswagen Passat SE Nav TDI S A vehicles fall between 35,725 and 70,605 miles.

2021 Volkswagen Passat SE Nav TDI S A — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 183 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

17 183 2021 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.

MOT History Averages

3.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.32
Avg failures per vehicle
2.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Volkswagen Passat SE Nav TDI S A?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Volkswagen Passat SE Nav TDI S A:

2019 2020