Part of the Volkswagen Passat B7 (2010–2014) guide: best and worst years compared.

Part of the Volkswagen Passat B8 (2014–2023) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2014 Volkswagen Passat petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Volkswagen Passat first registered in 2014 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 444 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 444 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

444MOTs of 2014 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
87%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 70%)
6,400typical miles a year
29%had tyres flagged

Common 2014 Volkswagen Passat petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 Volkswagen Passat petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    29% 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
    22% 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
    16% 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
    7% 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
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2014 Volkswagen Passat petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Starter motor recall

    A recall covered starter motors that could fail and, in rare cases, catch fire.

    At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Parkers: buying a used VW Passat B7

  • Early 7-speed dry-clutch DSG

    7-speed DSG automatic

    Early seven-speed DSG automatics use a dry clutch, which is more fragile than the later wet-clutch gearboxes.

    At the viewing: Check for smooth, quick gear changes from a standstill and in slow traffic. Judder or slipping is a warning.

    If it needs doing: Gearbox sensor or solenoid, about £200–£500. ClickMechanic

    Source: Parkers: buying a used VW Passat B7

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2014 Volkswagen Passat petrol

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

  1. Has the starter motor recall been done?
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen Passat?

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 Passat compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023287Tyres 15%
20222,624Tyres 28%
20217,465Tyres 27%
202017,869Tyres 27%
201922,325Tyres 28%
201832,683Tyres 29%
201742,116Tyres 30%
201645,637Tyres 31%
201547,105Tyres 31%
201336,717Suspension 41%
201241,982Suspension 45%
201149,171Suspension 49%
201033,814Suspension 52%
200933,875Suspension 52%
200828,332Suspension 54%
200724,515Suspension 55%
200616,564Suspension 59%
200512,036Suspension 48%
20049,761Suspension 47%
20038,275Suspension 48%
20025,264Suspension 48%
20013,085Suspension 50%
20001,441Suspension 49%
19991,160Suspension 48%
1998835Suspension 47%
1997272Suspension 49%
1996155Brakes 49%
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
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

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 Passat cars first registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score