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A5 SMY

1990 Volkswagen Passat

Blue Petrol 1781cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 May 2027
Tests30 (20 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate66.7%

Mileage

159,140 mi
Last recorded159,140 miles
Recorded on17 Apr 2026
Typical for 1990 Volkswagen Passat145,945 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA5 SMY
MakeVolkswagen
ModelPassat
Year1990
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,781cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

20 pass 10 fail
Pass 17 Apr 2026 159,140 miles

Front Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both fronts slightly worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (strong advisory) (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 14 May 2025 158,419 miles

Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material both fronts (1.1.11 (c))

Front Coil spring corroded both fronts (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Front Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement both fronts slightly worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 27 Mar 2024 157,340 miles

Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Front Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 24 Apr 2023 154,966 miles

Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn top mounts have slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 9 Jan 2023 154,902 miles

Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.3 (a))

Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced hole in arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Front Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced hole in sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced hole in arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has excessive play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Front Suspension component pin or bush slightly worn top mounts have slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Upper Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 22 Jan 2022 153,320 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases slight leak from rear clamp (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 6 Nov 2020 151,172 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

General underside corrosion

Vehicle lowered on coil overs

Pass 30 Nov 2019 149,227 miles

General underside corrosion

Vehicle lowered on coil overs

Fail 12 Sep 2019 149,222 miles

Nearside Front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing has excessive wear or free play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Macpherson strut top bush or bearing has excessive wear or free play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting Sill (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

General underside corrosion

Nearside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Vehicle very low

Pass 28 Aug 2018 147,433 miles

Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement all top mounts (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly damaged perished (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement rearmost bush (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly damaged perished (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

offside rear caliper's park brake lever does not return to stop.

Pass 18 Aug 2017 142,055 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Rearmost bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside rear inner brake pipe is corroded.

Fail 17 Aug 2017 142,054 miles

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement Rearmost bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Rear Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside rear inner brake pipe is corroded.

Pass 7 Sep 2016 135,813 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rearmost bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Rear Inner Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

offside rear deteriorating/perished.

Fail 5 Sep 2016 135,813 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose twisted (3.6.B.4c)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rearmost bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment (2.5.A.1c)

Offside Rear Inner Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Nail in tyre ()

offside rear deteriorating/perished.

Pass 11 Sep 2015 134,664 miles

Nearside Front Sub-frame repaired, but not inappropriately (2.4.A.2)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Steering damper slight oil seepage (2.2.C.1f)

small amount of blue smoke from exhaust

Fail 9 Sep 2015 134,649 miles

Nearside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Front Sub-frame repaired, but not inappropriately (2.4.A.2)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) slightly affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Steering damper slight oil seepage (2.2.C.1f)

small amount of blue smoke from exhaust

Pass 17 Jul 2014 133,870 miles

Nearside Front Sub-frame repaired, but not inappropriately (2.4.A.2)

Fail 30 Jun 2014 133,870 miles

Centre Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Emissions not tested (7.0)

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Lower Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Lower Sub-frame repaired, but not inappropriately (2.4.A.2)

Pass 12 Jun 2013 131,205 miles

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

off side rear brake disc back plate rotten and rusty but surcure

Fail 7 Jun 2013 131,180 miles

Brake hydraulic reservoir fluid level below minimum level (3.6.G.1b)

Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Outer Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1)

Nearside Rear Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Nearside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Nearside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Outer Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Brake hose leaking (3.6.A.1)

Offside Rear Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)

Offside Rear rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Offside Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

off side rear brake disc back plate rotten and rusty but surcure

Pass 27 Jul 2012 126,565 miles

Nearside Front Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Upper Shock absorber has a slightly worn bush (2.7.4)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 19 Jul 2011 120,058 miles

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Rear Service brake: service brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.B.7)

offside rear brake disc rusty

Fail 19 Jul 2011 120,058 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter split (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Rear Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

offside rear brake disc rusty

Pass 8 Jun 2010 109,769 miles
Fail 8 Jun 2010 109,769 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)

Pass 19 May 2009 107,174 miles
Pass 13 Jun 2008 104,987 miles
Pass 13 Jun 2007 103,220 miles
Fail 12 Jun 2007 103,220 miles

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement in the upper support bearing assembly (2.5.B.1b)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Pass 7 Jun 2006 100,896 miles

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Passat?

Based on 6,960,690 MOT tests across 591,281 vehicles.

73.5%
Pass Rate
8,659
Miles/Year
32
Year Lifespan
591,281
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 256,176
constant velocity joint gaiter split 196,521
constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc 92,195
Brake hose excessively deteriorated 90,839
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 89,758
Full Volkswagen Passat reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

A5 SMY is a 1990 Volkswagen Passat in Blue with a 1,781cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 30 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 66.7%.

Across all 1990 Volkswagen Passat models, the average MOT pass rate is 61.8% with a typical mileage of 145,945 miles. This particular vehicle has performed better than the average for its year.

The most common reason a Volkswagen Passat fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 256,176 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A5 SMY, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Passat typically stays on UK roads for around 32 years. At 36 years old, this Volkswagen Passat is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A5 SMY?

You can check the full history of A5 SMY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A5 SMY registered?

A5 SMY is a 1990 Volkswagen Passat, first registered on 5 June 1990.

Is A5 SMY safe to buy?

The MOT history for A5 SMY shows 30 tests with a 66.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A5 SMY have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on A5 SMY. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.