Used car guide

2016 Volkswagen Jetta diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Volkswagen Jetta first registered in 2016 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 1,743 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,743MOTs of 2016 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
73%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%)
9,000typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.6× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    12.3% All 2016 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

  • Coil springs3.3× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    10.4% All 2016 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 2.1% of all 2016 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.

  • Engine warning light3× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    3.9% All 2016 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2016 Volkswagen Jetta diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Volkswagen Jetta diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Suspension
    27% 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.

  • Brakes
    23% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    8% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    3% 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 2016 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 2.6× as often on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2016 Volkswagen Jetta diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2016 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%
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%
20064,371Suspension 48%
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 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score