2021 Volkswagen Id3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 14,847 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Volkswagen Id3, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 92.0% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.3%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.5% | 963 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 240 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.1% | 171 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.5% | 77 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 73 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.3% | 42 |
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 | 327 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 267 |
| 3 | Wipers | 105 |
| 4 | Washers | 85 |
| 5 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 44 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 36 |
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 | 22.9% | 3,403 |
| 2 | Other defects | 4.5% | 669 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.1% | 310 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.9% | 290 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.8% | 272 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 32 |
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 | 7,764 | 7.5% |
| 30-60k | 6,027 | 8.1% |
| 60-90k | 863 | 10.9% |
| 90-120k | 157 | 8.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 78 | 5.1% |
| 2023 | 407 | 4.9% |
| 2024 | 7,085 | 8.4% |
| 2025 | 7,276 | 7.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Id3
Before buying a 2021 Volkswagen Id3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.5% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.5% 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 (1.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.1% 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 2021 Volkswagen Id3s pass their MOT?
92.0% of the 14,847 2021 Volkswagen Id3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Volkswagen Id3?
Tyres, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.6%).
Does the 2021 Id3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 0-30k band to 8.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,847 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.