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MOT reliability

Volkswagen 181

100 vehicles · 447 completed MOT tests analysed
75%
MOT pass rate

Based on 100 Volkswagen 181 vehicles and 447 completed MOT tests, the Volkswagen 181 has an overall 75% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 59,497 miles.

100
Vehicles
447
MOT tests
1,252
Avg miles / year
1.9
Faults per test
2%
Dangerous-fault share

Volkswagen 181 problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Volkswagen 181 MOT tests:

  • Other83%
  • Brakes7%
  • Emissions & nuisance6%
  • Tyres, wheels & suspension5%
  • Steering5%
  • Lamps & electrical4%
  • Seatbelts & equipment2%
  • Body & structure1%

Volkswagen 181 pass rate by age

Age (years)TestsPass rate
1667%
2786%
3786%
4667%
5683%
6580%
7683%
85100%
91070%
10875%
111283%
121283%
131464%
141080%
151173%
161173%
171070%
181080%
191164%
204100%

Fuel types: Petrol (100)

Most common Volkswagen 181 MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Volkswagen 181 MOT tests:

  1. Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3) (18 times)
  2. Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a) (13 times)
  3. Oil leak (13 times)
  4. Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b) (11 times)
  5. Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c) (10 times)
  6. Horn not working (1.6.2a) (7 times)
  7. Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c) (7 times)
  8. Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i)) (6 times)
  9. Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a) (6 times)
  10. rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2) (5 times)
  11. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (5 times)
  12. Offside Front suspension has slight play in a lower suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a) (5 times)
  13. Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3) (5 times)
  14. Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8) (5 times)
  15. Offside Front Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement (3.5.1k) (4 times)

Volkswagen 181 pass rate by registration year

YearVehiclesTestsPass rateAvg mileage
2019 1 1 100% 61,685
2018 3 3 100% 28,978
2017 1 2 100% 38,232
2014 1 4 100% 66,045
2007 1 11 55% 85,802
2006 2 26 85% 84,641
2005 1 3 67% —
2003 3 28 93% 145,684
2001 2 27 78% 31,907
2000 1 4 75% 11,977
1999 2 28 68% 78,942
1997 1 15 53% 66,995
1995 1 12 83% 79,222
1991 2 10 100% 46,812
1990 3 29 86% 48,627
1989 1 13 92% 21,912
1988 1 9 78% 95,612
1985 1 10 90% 35,231
1984 2 19 68% 78,125
1983 1 13 62% 75,266
1982 1 7 86% 29,330
1980 3 8 62% 32,593
1979 1 12 75% 9,572
1978 2 24 62% 94,837
1977 3 18 61% 62,798
1975 5 27 56% 45,338
1974 2 9 56% 49,867
1973 3 9 78% 16,119
1972 2 3 33% 92,984
1971 4 33 73% 49,683
1970 3 11 73% 62,787
1968 2 8 75% 78,427
1963 1 11 100% 72,818

Volkswagen 181 reliability FAQ

Across 100 Volkswagen 181 vehicles in our MOT data, 75% pass the MOT (a 25% failure rate), with about 1.9 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Volkswagen 181 MOT issues are: Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3); Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel (2.2.A.1a); Oil leak.

The typical Volkswagen 181 in our data has covered around 59,497 miles.

Compare the Volkswagen 181

See how the Volkswagen 181 stacks up against other Volkswagen models on MOT reliability:

181 vs Golf 181 vs Polo 181 vs Passat 181 vs Transporter

Check a specific Volkswagen 181

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Volkswagen models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks