2020 Volkswagen Id3 1St — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,009 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Volkswagen Id3 1St, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 92.2% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 15.2% in the 60-90k group versus 5.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.3% | 261 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 121 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.3% | 76 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 65 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.6% | 38 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 68 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 53 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 44 |
| 4 | Wipers | 40 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joints | 40 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 28 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.0% | 1,141 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.4% | 264 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.0% | 238 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.5% | 151 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.4% | 86 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 21 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 3,450 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,267 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 257 | 15.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,932 | 6.7% |
| 2024 | 1,987 | 7.2% |
| 2025 | 2,077 | 9.4% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Id3 1St
Before buying a 2020 Volkswagen Id3 1St, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.3% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (4.3% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (2.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2020 Volkswagen Id3 1Sts pass their MOT?
92.2% of the 6,009 2020 Volkswagen Id3 1St MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen Id3 1St?
Tyres, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.0%).
Does the 2020 Id3 1St get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 15.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,009 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.