Volkswagen Derby Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volkswagen Derby car check
Is the Volkswagen Derby reliable? We analysed 1,098 real MOT tests across 117 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volkswagen Derby? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volkswagen Derby is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp not working, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volkswagen Derby.
Volkswagen Derby Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volkswagen Derby. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volkswagen Derby MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volkswagen Derby to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volkswagen Derby Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volkswagen Derby fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volkswagen Derby Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volkswagen Derby owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volkswagen Derby MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volkswagen Derby year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 373 | 73.2% | 54,010 | 76,059 | 98,694 |
| 2003 | 210 | 68.1% | 59,789 | 92,413 | 140,703 |
| 2000 | 129 | 65.1% | 87,771 | 111,851 | 132,709 |
| 1981 | 73 | 72.6% | 34,917 | 55,908 | 66,457 |
| 1980 | 85 | 64.7% | 48,784 | 65,489 | 81,145 |
| 1979 | 107 | 71.0% | 38,062 | 64,073 | 75,265 |
How Long Does a Volkswagen Derby Last?
Based on 117 Volkswagen Derby vehicles on UK roads.
Volkswagen Derby Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volkswagen Derby MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Volkswagen Derby
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
73.2% MOT pass rate from 373 tests
64.7% MOT pass rate from 85 tests
The best year to buy a used Volkswagen Derby is 2004, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.2% across 373 tests. The 1980 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volkswagen Derby Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Derby THIS CAR | 69.5% | 1,098 | 75,309 mi | 47 yrs |
| Volkswagen Golf | 74.9% | 22,270,993 | 83,305 mi | 37 yrs |
| Volkswagen Polo | 72.9% | 14,598,296 | 60,351 mi | 35 yrs |
| Volkswagen Passat | 73.5% | 6,960,690 | 105,632 mi | 32 yrs |
| Kawasaki Zx 1002 Bjf SX SE | 93.9% | 2,133 | 9,478 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Volkswagen Golf (74.9% pass rate) and the Volkswagen Polo (72.9% pass rate), the Volkswagen Derby trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Volkswagen Derby you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Volkswagen DerbyShould you buy a used Volkswagen Derby?
The Volkswagen Derby has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.5% across 1,098 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volkswagen Derby are stop lamp not working (44 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (40), and suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (28). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Volkswagen Derby owner drives around 5,320 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Volkswagen Derby models stay on UK roads for around 47 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.