2020 Volkswagen Id3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,899 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Volkswagen Id3, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 92.3% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.0% | 246 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.2% | 108 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.5% | 72 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.0% | 49 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.5% | 26 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 98 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 91 |
| 3 | Wipers | 42 |
| 4 | Washers | 40 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 30 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 30 |
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 | 21.3% | 1,041 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.6% | 224 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.3% | 162 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.5% | 124 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 78 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 20 |
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 | 2,613 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 2,012 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 239 | 10.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,450 | 6.3% |
| 2024 | 1,685 | 6.7% |
| 2025 | 1,753 | 10.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Id3
Before buying a 2020 Volkswagen Id3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.0% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.0% 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 (2.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2020 Volkswagen Id3s pass their MOT?
92.3% of the 4,899 2020 Volkswagen Id3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen Id3?
Tyres, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.2%).
Does the 2020 Id3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 10.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,899 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.