RegVerdict Model Intelligence
Volkswagen California reliability
MOT pass rates & common faults·12,182 DVSA tests·2024
Across 12,182 real DVSA MOT tests in 2024, 80% of Volkswagen California cars aged 8 to 12 years pass their MOT first time, ahead of the 73% average for all cars of that age. It holds up especially well on lights & electrics and emissions & leaks.
80%
Strong for its agepass first time (8 to 12 years)
Strong for its age · beats 62% of peers
+6.5 pts
MOT pass rate by age
4 to 7 years
5,330 tests · fleet 85%
87%
8 to 12 years
5,353 tests · fleet 73%
80%
13 years and older
1,499 tests · fleet 61%
72%
Where the California fails
Suspension95
Brakes96
Body & structure99
Steering99
Tyres96
Lights & electrics98
Holds up better on lights & electrics, emissions & leaks, road wheels.
Share of 8 to 12 years Volkswagen California MOTs with no fault in each area; the marker shows the fleet average. OGL v3.0.
How it tends to age
How the Volkswagen California tends to age
The MOT areas flagged most often on Volkswagen California models 13 years and older. It is the model’s typical pattern across millions of tests, not a forecast for this specific car.
- Suspension · flagged on ~7% of MOTs
- Lights & electrics · flagged on ~6% of MOTs
- Brakes · flagged on ~5% of MOTs
- Tyres · flagged on ~4% of MOTs
Common questions
Is the Volkswagen California reliable?
On 2024 MOT data the Volkswagen California holds up well for its age: 80% of examples aged 8 to 12 years pass first time, against a 73% fleet average. That puts it ahead of 62% of similar-age models.
What is the MOT pass rate for a Volkswagen California?
First-time MOT pass rates for the Volkswagen California in 2024: 4 to 7 years, 87%; 8 to 12 years, 80%; and 13 years and older, 72%. Pass rates fall with age across the whole fleet, so compare each figure with cars of the same age, not with a new car.
What commonly fails on a Volkswagen California MOT?
For Volkswagen California cars aged 13 years and older, the areas that fail an MOT more often than the fleet average are seat belts (2.5% of tests vs 1.3% fleet).
Other Volkswagen models
Check a Volkswagen California’s full history