2021 Volkswagen Id3 Max — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,065 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen Id3 Max, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.3% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.6% | 60 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.0% | 32 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 16 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.9% | 10 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 3 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.3% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 39 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 13 |
| 4 | Washers | 5 |
| 5 | Wipers | 5 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 2 |
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 | 20.4% | 217 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.9% | 84 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.9% | 42 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 12 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.8% | 8 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 4 |
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 | 711 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 338 | 13.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 518 | 8.3% |
| 2025 | 542 | 9.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Id3 Max
Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen Id3 Max, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.6% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.6% 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.
- Suspension (3.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2021 Volkswagen Id3 Maxs pass their MOT?
91.3% of the 1,065 2021 Volkswagen Id3 Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Id3 Max?
Tyres, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by suspension (3.0%).
Does the 2021 Id3 Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 13.6% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,065 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.