Volkswagen Passat (2002)
2002 Volkswagen Passat
CarHunch analysed 35,105 real MOT records for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Volkswagen Passat's 72.9% first-time pass rate sits 7 points below the UK average, which is a meaningful gap—and the fact that nearly a quarter of these cars have logged a dangerous defect at some point is a genuine concern for buyers. Diesel variants fare slightly worse at 71.9% pass rate compared to petrol at 74.8%, though neither inspires confidence.
At 120,600 miles median, these Passats carry typical mileage for their age, but they're racking up an average of 4 failures per test and a hefty 18 advisories, suggesting wear is catching up fast. If you're considering one, budget for immediate repairs on any pre-purchase inspection, and check its full MOT history for patterns of recurring faults—don't rely on the current test alone.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.9 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2002 Volkswagen Passat
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.
- ⚠️ 23.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (66%) | 23,333 | 71.9% | 4.3 |
| Petrol (33%) | 11,731 | 74.8% | 3.65 |
| LPG (0%) | 33 | 73.6% | 4.03 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 57.1% | 2.33 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 3 | 73.7% | 3 |
| Electric (0%) | 2 | 65.7% | 5.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 Volkswagen Passat 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.
Half of all 2002 Volkswagen Passat vehicles fall between 99,611 and 143,686 miles.
2002 Volkswagen Passat — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,277 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 Volkswagen Passat
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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73.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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71.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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64.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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57.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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55.3%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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55.1%
Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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38.1%
Oil leak
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35.8%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2002. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volkswagen Passat?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.