VolkswagenUsed-car reliability
At 7 years old, the average Volkswagen fails its MOT less often than the average UK car.
MOT fail rate · 7-year-old cars
Fails less often than the average 7-year-old car (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)
Where to start
The Volkswagen models whose MOT tests at 7 years old most and least often ended in a fail.
Lowest fail rates
Volkswagen T-Roc9.6%fail rate
Volkswagen Arteon12.4%fail rate
Volkswagen Golf12.7%fail rateHighest fail rates
Volkswagen Polo19.7%fail rate
Volkswagen Caddy19.6%fail rateWhat actually goes wrong
The most common MOT faults across the Volkswagen range, in plain English. Models with more MOT tests count for more. The percentage is the share of MOT tests on Volkswagen cars that recorded that defect.
A tyre is worn, cut, damaged or otherwise not fit for the road. Tyres are the only thing connecting the car to the road, so this is always worth taking seriously.
MOT wording: Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge
The vehicle is leaking a fluid — oil, coolant, fuel or hydraulic. A slight seep is common on older cars; a continuous drip is both a road hazard and a sign of something failing.
MOT wording: Oil leak, but not excessive
A suspension arm, wishbone, strut, sub-frame, or anti-roll bar is worn, cracked, bent, or has excessive play. These structural parts hold the wheels in position and control body lean in corners.
MOT wording: Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened
A rigid metal brake pipe is corroded, damaged, kinked, or leaking. These permanently fixed pipes carry pressurised brake fluid — any weakness is a serious safety concern.
MOT wording: Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease
Across all Volkswagen models; models with more MOT tests count for more.
The whole range
For each model, one number: the share of its MOT tests at 7 years old that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. Lower is better. The UK average (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%) is shown for reference. Only models with enough MOT data at 7 years old are ranked. The rest sit just below, unranked.
The lowest 7-year fail rate of any Volkswagen here.
Among the lower fail rates in the Volkswagen range at 7 years old.
Among the lower fail rates in the Volkswagen range at 7 years old.
Among the lower fail rates in the Volkswagen range at 7 years old.
Among the lower fail rates in the Volkswagen range at 7 years old.
Among the lower fail rates in the Volkswagen range at 7 years old.
Among the lower fail rates in the Volkswagen range at 7 years old.
Among the lower fail rates in the Volkswagen range at 7 years old.
Above the Volkswagen average, but below the UK average.
Above the Volkswagen average, and at or above the UK average.
Above the Volkswagen average, and at or above the UK average.
Above the Volkswagen average, and at or above the UK average.
Above the Volkswagen average, and at or above the UK average.
Above the Volkswagen average, and at or above the UK average.
Above the Volkswagen average, and at or above the UK average.
Above the Volkswagen average, and at or above the UK average.
Fail rates are the share of MOT tests on 7-year-old cars ending in a fail, retests included (DVSA MOT results, 2025). UK average across all makes at the same age: 16.6%. How we count fail rates
Shown unranked. These models don’t have enough MOT data at 7 years old yet. They’re either too new (few cars old enough) or too old (few still on the road). Each is shown at the age with the most tests, so the percentages aren’t directly comparable to the list above.
Too new to rank
Too new to rank
Too new to rank
Too old to rank
Too old to rank
Too old to rank
Too old to rank
Too old to rank
Too old to rank
Too old to rankAverages tell you the odds across the range. Enter a number plate to see that car’s own MOT history, its risk rating, and what’s likely to need attention.
