2006 Volkswagen Jetta MOT pass rate: 66.0% (4,317 tests)
Is the 2006 Jetta getting worse?
Pass rate of 2006-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 65.6% +1.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 66.3% +2.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 66.4% +1.5 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2006 Jetta
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 1,225 | 22.9% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,013 | 18.9% |
| 3 | Brakes | 907 | 16.9% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 623 | 11.6% |
| 5 | Tyres | 488 | 9.1% |
| 6 | Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 396 | 7.4% |
All Jetta years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 (this page) | 4,317 | 66.0% | +1.6 pts | 132,372 |
| 2007 | 6,097 | 66.3% | +1.2 pts | 131,946 |
| 2008 | 4,607 | 67.1% | +2.0 pts | 126,749 |
| 2009 | 3,114 | 70.2% | +3.7 pts | 111,948 |
| 2010 | 1,954 | 70.8% | +3.4 pts | 106,694 |
| 2011 | 2,684 | 70.2% | +1.0 pts | 108,516 |
| 2012 | 3,469 | 70.8% | -0.5 pts | 105,076 |
| 2013 | 3,103 | 70.4% | -3.0 pts | 90,418 |
| 2014 | 2,913 | 72.7% | -3.2 pts | 86,071 |
| 2015 | 3,321 | 75.6% | -3.2 pts | 71,403 |
| 2016 | 2,255 | 77.7% | -3.7 pts | 63,828 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
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FAQs
Is a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
2006-registered examples passed 66.0% of their MOT tests (4,317 tests, 2023–2025), +1.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 20 years old with a median 132,372 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2006 Jetta?
The median tested example shows 132,372 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2006 Jetta?
In this cohort petrols pass 72.8% of tests against 64.7% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.