Used car guide

2006 Volkswagen Jetta diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Volkswagen Jetta first registered in 2006 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 3,663 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,663MOTs of 2006 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
57%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%)
7,800typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta diesel than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    20.2% All 2006 cars
    10.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 2.4% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Headlights1.7× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    21.5% All 2006 cars
    13%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 5% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    14.7% All 2006 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 3.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Coil springs1.6× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    17.3% All 2006 cars
    10.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 3.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Rust in key structural areas4.5× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    4.9% All 2006 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 0.8% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.2% here, against 14% of all 2006 cars. Exhaust system: 3.1% here, against 9.2% of all 2006 cars.

Common 2006 Volkswagen Jetta diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Volkswagen Jetta diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    36% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    15% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    14% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2006 Volkswagen Jetta diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen Jetta?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volkswagen Jetta compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2018–Too few tests
20171,046Tyres 27%
20162,272Tyres 28%
20153,337Tyres 29%
20142,923Suspension 34%
20133,127Suspension 37%
20123,487Suspension 41%
20112,697Suspension 43%
20101,968Suspension 42%
20093,145Suspension 46%
20084,660Suspension 49%
20076,177Suspension 50%
2005–Too few tests
1992–Too few tests
1991173Brakes 35%
1990158Suspension 25%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volkswagen Jetta cars first registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score