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Volkswagen Jetta reliability, MPG and running costs

Figures updated

The Volkswagen Jetta is a car. In 2024 MOT tests it scored 108 for reliability (100 is average), ranking 214 of 442, and 35.7% failed first time against a UK average of 28.5%. Its most common MOT failure is coil spring (5.3% of tests).

108Above average

Ranked 214 of 442 cars in the 2024 MOT Reliability League

In 2024, 13,077 Volkswagen Jettas aged 3 to 20 had an MOT and 35.7% failed first time (UK average 28.5%). Taking age and mileage into account, the Volkswagen Jetta is 7% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage.

First-time fail rate

35.7%

UK 28.5%

Fail rate at 3 years

–

UK 12.7%

Average miles a year

8,800

Typical age at test: 13 years

Volkswagen Jetta MOT failure rate by age

0%10%20%30%40%50%369121518UK average 44%Jetta 39%

Most common Volkswagen Jetta MOT faults

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.3% of tests
  2. Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.2% of tests
  3. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.3% of tests
  4. Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.2% of tests
  5. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.8% of tests
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.8% of tests

What the Volkswagen Jetta fails on

AreaTests failingvs similar cars
Suspension16.1%About average
Lights and electrics11.3%▼ 35% less often
Brakes9.1%▼ 12% less often
Tyres7.8%About average
Body and structure6.0%About average
Exhaust and emissions4.6%▼ 11% less often
Visibility4.3%▼ 26% less often
Seat belts and airbags2.9%▲ 1.7× as often
Steering1.1%▼ 67% less often
Wheels0.5%About average

What MPG does the Volkswagen Jetta do?

Official economy for the Volkswagen Jetta ranges from 32.8 to 70.6mpg across the 125 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2006–2018). A typical petrol version manages 53.3mpg and a typical diesel 65.7mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.

Work out a journey's fuel cost

How much is road tax on a Volkswagen Jetta?

Any Volkswagen Jetta first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Volkswagen Jetta registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £445 a year.

Work out tax for a specific car

Volkswagen Jetta specs and running costs

Official figures for 125 versions sold in the UK between 2006 and 2018.

Fuel types

Diesel, Petrol

Official economy

32.8–70.6 mpg

CO2

105–206 g/km

VersionFuelEconomyCO2Car tax
Jetta 2.0 TDI 110PS BlueMotion Technology SM5 · listed 2018Diesel68.9 mpg107g£200
Jetta 2.0 TDI 110PS BlueMotion Technology SEM5 · listed 2018Diesel68.9 mpg107g£200
Jetta 2.0 TDI 110PS BlueMotion Technology GTM5 · listed 2018Diesel68.9 mpg109g£200
Jetta 2.0 TDI 110PS 7speed DSG BlueMotion Technology SED7 · listed 2018Diesel65.7 mpg112g£200
Jetta 2.0 TDI 110PS 7speed DSG BlueMotion Technology GTD7 · listed 2018Diesel65.7 mpg113g£200
Jetta 2.0 TDI 150PS BlueMotion Technology SEM6 · listed 2018Diesel65.7 mpg111g£200
Jetta 2.0 TDI 150PS BlueMotion Technology GTM6 · listed 2018Diesel65.7 mpg112g£200
Jetta 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG BlueMotion Technology SED6 · listed 2018Diesel61.4 mpg120g£200
Jetta 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG BlueMotion Technology GTD6 · listed 2018Diesel61.4 mpg121g£200
Jetta 1.4 TSI 125PS BlueMotion Technology SM6 · listed 2018Petrol52.3 mpg125g£200
Jetta 1.4 TSI 125PS BlueMotion Technology SEM6 · listed 2018Petrol52.3 mpg125g£200
Jetta 1.4 TSI 150PS BlueMotion Technology SEM6 · listed 2018Petrol53.3 mpg123g£200
Jetta 1.4 TSI 150PS BlueMotion Technology GTM6 · listed 2018Petrol53.3 mpg123g£200
Jetta 1.4 TSI 150PS 7speed DSG BlueMotion Technology SED7 · listed 2018Petrol55.4 mpg117g£200
Jetta 1.4 TSI 150PS 7speed DSG BlueMotion Technology GTD7 · listed 2018Petrol55.4 mpg117g£200

Economy and CO2 are official NEDC (before 2018) or WLTP figures. Car tax is the yearly rate at current rates for a car first registered in the year listed, before any expensive car supplement. Showing the 15 most recent of 125 versions.

What a Volkswagen Jetta costs to fuel

  • petrol, typical official 53.3mpg…
  • diesel, typical official 65.7mpg…

Official figures are usually 10–15% better than real-world driving.

Work out a journey in a Volkswagen Jetta

Buying a used Volkswagen Jetta?

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Frequently asked questions

›Is the Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

Its MOT record is better than average: the Volkswagen Jetta is 7% less likely to fail than the average car of the same age and mileage, with a reliability score of 108 in our 2024 league (100 is average).

›What are common problems with the Volkswagen Jetta?

The most common MOT fault is “Coil spring: fractured or broken”, found in 5.3% of tests. It fails on seat belts and airbags more often than similar cars.

›What MPG does the Volkswagen Jetta do?

Official economy for the Volkswagen Jetta ranges from 32.8 to 70.6mpg across the 125 versions listed by the Vehicle Certification Agency (2006–2018). A typical petrol version manages 53.3mpg and a typical diesel 65.7mpg. Expect 10–15% less in real-world driving.

›How much is road tax on a Volkswagen Jetta?

Any Volkswagen Jetta first registered from April 2017 pays the standard rate of £200 a year after its first year (2026/27 rates). A Volkswagen Jetta registered between March 2001 and March 2017 is taxed on its CO2: £20 to £445 a year.

›How many Volkswagen Jettas fail their MOT?

35.7% of Volkswagen Jettas aged 3 to 20 failed their MOT first time in 2024.

Sources: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2024, all versions of the Volkswagen Jetta combined (Open Government Licence v3.0); official economy and CO2 from Vehicle Certification Agency data, © Crown copyright. VCA cannot accept liability for its accuracy. How we calculate the league.