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Volkswagen Fox reliability by build year

Coverage 2005-20111 named generationHatchbackPETROL
At a glance

Volkswagen Fox built around 2010: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Foxes built around 2010 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Volkswagen Fox by number plate

Key figure

33% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Foxes built around 2010 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Foxes built around 2010 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Exhaust

Worth checking

Listen for blow noises from a cold start; check for rust and leaks at the manifold and cat connections.

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 Fox's generation

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

Fox 5Z

5Z (2005-2011)

Poor
PETROL

33.9% fail rate, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 29%)

From 5,728 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 Fox.

See every build year for the Volkswagen Fox

By age

Volkswagen Fox fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volkswagen Fox 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
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
1,27331.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
5,72833.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
8,98633.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5,64934.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
5,86935.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
4,96334.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,41033.1%

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 17 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 15-year-old Volkswagen Foxes

These issues come from 15-year-old Volkswagen Foxes, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    20.0%
    Advisory: 2,366Fail: 186 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    16.5%
    Advisory: 1,988Fail: 248 (11% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    15.7%
    Advisory: 1,678Fail: 419 (20% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    15.4%
    Advisory: 1,127Fail: 321 (22% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    10.6%
    Advisory: 819Fail: 344 (30% of the times it was found)

Based on 8,986 MOT tests on 15-year-old Volkswagen Foxes, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 15-year-old Volkswagen Foxes notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres33%
  2. Lighting + Suspension31%
  3. Brakes + Suspension25%
  4. Lighting + Tyres23%

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

Across 5,215 MOT tests on Volkswagen Fox cars built around 2010 (15 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 Fox.

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

2 recalls in all

Both Volkswagen Fox recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 1 more

Top concerns

  • Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement
  • Takata front airbag

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

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota IQ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.7%
    Dangerous
    4.4%

    Lower fail rate: 22.3%, against 33.4% for the Volkswagen Fox, both built around 2010.

    6,492 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  2. 2

    Hyundai i10

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.7%
    Dangerous
    8.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 28.9%, against 33.4% for the Volkswagen Fox, both built around 2010.

    28,422 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  3. 3

    Renault Modus

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.4%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Fox on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,603 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

  4. 4

    Honda Insight

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6%
    Dangerous
    7.1%

    Lower fail rate: 26.4%, against 33.4% for the Volkswagen Fox, both built around 2010.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,277 MOT tests on cars built around 2010

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.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2010 (15 years old), the Volkswagen Fox across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 8,986 15-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volkswagen Fox ever sold: 33,878 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2010 (15 years old): 8,986 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.