Volkswagen Passat SE TDI 105 (2006)
2006 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI 105
CarHunch analysed 572 real MOT records for the 2006 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI 105.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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This 2006 Passat diesel has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 38.1%, nearly half the UK average of 80%, which is a serious red flag for reliability. The good news is that dangerous defects are essentially absent (0%), so any failures tend to be repairable rather than safety-critical, but the sheer frequency of them means you're looking at regular repair bills.
At 162,000 miles on average, these cars are well-used, and the 0.61 failures per vehicle suggest that age and mileage have taken their toll on mechanical and emissions systems typical of older diesels. Before buying one, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the turbo, diesel particulate filter, and suspension—the high failure rate points to these as weak spots on this generation.
The 2006 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI 105 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (75.6%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.
These stats describe 572 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.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 572 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI 105 cars.
Before you buy a 2006 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI 105
Based on MOT data from 572 vehicles — here's what to check.
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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. -
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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
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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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (99%) | 568 | 75.6% | 0.6 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 2,074 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI 105 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI 105 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.
Half of all 2006 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI 105 vehicles fall between 135,850 and 183,701 miles.
2006 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI 105 — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 14% of 2006 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI 105s are still active.
Numbers are declining — 35 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (14% of peak).
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
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