1998 Volkswagen Passat petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1998 Volkswagen Passat petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat petrol than on all cars registered in 1998.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.5× usual
  Volkswagen Passat

  18% All 1998 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 2.2% of all 1998 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.

• Headlights3.2× usual
  Volkswagen Passat

  14.9% All 1998 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.6% of all 1998 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
  Volkswagen Passat

  12.1% All 1998 cars

  5.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.9% of all 1998 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.

• Number plates2.2× usual
  Volkswagen Passat

  12.9% All 1998 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.7% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.5× usual
  Volkswagen Passat

  11.3% All 1998 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.1%, against 4.5% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

Common 1998 Volkswagen Passat petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1998 Volkswagen Passat petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  46% 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
  39% 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
  36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  28% 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.

• 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  22% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1998 Volkswagen Passat petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 1998 Volkswagen Passat petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?