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Volkswagen Amarok reliability by build year

Coverage 2011-present2 named generationsPickupDIESEL
At a glance

Volkswagen Amarok built around 2018: more fails still not passed 3 days later

Volkswagen Amaroks built around 2018 fail an MOT and still haven’t passed 3 days later more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the tyres on any car you view.

Check a Volkswagen Amarok by number plate

Key figure

5.0% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Amaroks built around 2018 failed and still hadn’t passed 3 days later. For similar cars the same age, it was 2.7%.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Amaroks built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volkswagen Amarok's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Amarok's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Amarok Mk1 (2H)

Mk1 (2H) (2011-2022)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESEL

17.5% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 3,173 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volkswagen Amarok.

See every build year for the Volkswagen Amarok

By age

Volkswagen Amarok fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volkswagen Amarok ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
61312.9%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
2,63313.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
3,45615.8%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
3,17317.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
2,96518.7%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
3,27222.4%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
3,35122.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
2,75423.5%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
2,22124.6%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,27227.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
29724.6%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 13 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Volkswagen Amarok stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Volkswagen models

11th of 16

11th lowest fail rate of 16 Volkswagen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against other pickups

2nd of 7

2nd lowest fail rate of 7 pickups with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

17.6%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Volkswagen Amaroks

These issues come from 7-year-old Volkswagen Amaroks, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    13.2%
    Advisory: 417Fail: 11 (3% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    12.7%
    Advisory: 611Fail: 30 (5% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.1%
    Advisory: 339Fail: 71 (17% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    5.5%
    Advisory: 168Fail: 44 (21% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    Windscreen damaged, but the driver can still see clearly

    4.8%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,173 MOT tests on 7-year-old Volkswagen Amaroks, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Volkswagen Amaroks notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Tyres22%
  2. Brakes + Fuel & oil17%
  3. Brakes + Suspension17%
  4. Fuel & oil + Tyres13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 873 MOT tests on Volkswagen Amarok cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Volkswagen Amarok.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

8 recalls in all

7 of the 8 Volkswagen Amarok recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 5 more

Top concerns

  • Power steering return hose can become damaged and cause hydraulic fluid to leak and/or the power steering to fail
  • Airbag may not deploy
  • ABS control unit

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other pickups to compare

Other pickups to compare

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi L200

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.7%
    Dangerous
    4.6%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.6%, against 5.9% for the Volkswagen Amarok.

    9,845 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Isuzu D-Max

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.4%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.3%, against 5.9% for the Volkswagen Amarok.

    5,626 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Nissan Navara

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7%
    Dangerous
    4.6%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.6%, against 5.9% for the Volkswagen Amarok.

    11,008 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Toyota Hilux

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5%
    Dangerous
    4.1%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.1%, against 5.9% for the Volkswagen Amarok.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,632 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Volkswagen Amarok across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 11th lowest fail rate of 16 Volkswagen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 3,173 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volkswagen Amarok ever sold: 26,007 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 3,173 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.