Volkswagen Variant Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volkswagen Variant car check
Is the Volkswagen Variant reliable? We analysed 1,684 real MOT tests across 240 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volkswagen Variant? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volkswagen Variant is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volkswagen Variant.
Volkswagen Variant Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volkswagen Variant. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volkswagen Variant MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volkswagen Variant to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volkswagen Variant Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volkswagen Variant fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volkswagen Variant Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volkswagen Variant owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volkswagen Variant MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volkswagen Variant year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 56 | 66.1% | 29,618 | 54,202 | 57,958 |
| 2006 | 58 | 62.1% | 27,985 | 39,986 | 80,975 |
| 2004 | 54 | 74.1% | 13,247 | 17,093 | 44,998 |
| 2002 | 137 | 66.4% | 41,593 | 61,149 | 84,995 |
| 1973 | 200 | 68.5% | 25,020 | 51,538 | 68,598 |
| 1972 | 286 | 72.7% | 24,461 | 44,551 | 72,423 |
| 1971 | 188 | 67.0% | 27,509 | 45,984 | 71,011 |
| 1970 | 58 | 81.0% | 7,753 | 13,800 | 39,563 |
| 1968 | 63 | 68.3% | 22,799 | 61,357 | 79,416 |
| 1967 | 85 | 70.6% | 45,252 | 59,852 | 75,173 |
How Long Does a Volkswagen Variant Last?
Based on 240 Volkswagen Variant vehicles on UK roads.
Volkswagen Variant Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volkswagen Variant 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 Variant
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.0% MOT pass rate from 58 tests
62.1% MOT pass rate from 58 tests
The best year to buy a used Volkswagen Variant is 1970, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.0% across 58 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volkswagen Variant Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Variant THIS CAR | 71.7% | 1,684 | 50,631 mi | 59 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 |
| Honda CD200 | 85.7% | 3,284 | 26,469 mi | 47 yrs |
Compared to the Volkswagen Golf (74.9% pass rate) and the Volkswagen Polo (72.9% pass rate), the Volkswagen Variant trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Volkswagen Variant 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 VariantShould you buy a used Volkswagen Variant?
The Volkswagen Variant has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.7% across 1,684 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volkswagen Variant are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (124 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (94), and position lamp(s) not working (60). 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 Variant owner drives around 766 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 Variant models stay on UK roads for around 59 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.