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Volkswagen Scirocco reliability by build year

Coverage 2008-20172 named generationsCoupeDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Volkswagen Scirocco built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Sciroccos built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Volkswagen Scirocco by number plate

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Sciroccos built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 13% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

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

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

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.

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 Scirocco's generation

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

Scirocco Mk3

Mk3 (2008-2017)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

17.4% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 5,920 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

25.4% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 22.5% and 28.4%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 840 MOT tests at this ageLimited data

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 Scirocco.

See every build year for the Volkswagen Scirocco

Side-by-side

Volkswagen Scirocco generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk3 (2008-2017)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings17.4%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 5,920 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating25.4%likely between 22.5% and 28.4%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 840 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Scirocco, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Volkswagen Scirocco fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volkswagen Scirocco 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
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
10312.6%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
3,04015.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
5,92017.4%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
6,52519.2%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
6,13222.7%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
5,20025.0%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
5,63425.9%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
6,80027.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
8,10128.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
7,36529.3%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
4,32628.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
24830.2%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
84025.4%

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.

Where it ranks

Where the Volkswagen Scirocco 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

8th of 16

8th lowest fail rate of 16 Volkswagen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other coupes

12th of 13

12th lowest fail rate of 13 coupes with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

Close to the middle third

Against the UK average

15.5%

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 Sciroccos

These issues come from 7-year-old Volkswagen Sciroccos, 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

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

    16.5%
    Advisory: 688Fail: 75 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    13.5%
    Advisory: 513Fail: 94 (15% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    11.9%
    Advisory: 520Fail: 8 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.4%
    Advisory: 293Fail: 57 (16% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    7.6%
    Advisory: 250Fail: 43 (15% of the times it was found)

Based on 3,040 MOT tests on 7-year-old Volkswagen Sciroccos, 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 Sciroccos 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 + Tyres36%
  2. Suspension + Tyres30%
  3. Brakes + Suspension23%
  4. Other + Tyres16%

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

Across 835 MOT tests on Volkswagen Scirocco 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

94%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

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.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

5 recalls in all

All 5 Volkswagen Scirocco recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • Starter motor may malfunction and overheat
  • Abs/esc system may fail
  • Airbag/belt tensioners may not trigger in event of an accident

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

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    1.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 5.3%, against 15.5% for the Volkswagen Scirocco, both built around 2018.

    2,547 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Porsche Cayman

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93%

    Lower fail rate: 5.5%, against 15.5% for the Volkswagen Scirocco, both built around 2018.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Jaguar F-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.3%

    Lower fail rate: 8.6%, against 15.5% for the Volkswagen Scirocco, both built around 2018.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,085 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    4.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Lower fail rate: 10.4%, against 15.5% for the Volkswagen Scirocco, both built around 2018.

    6,783 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.
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 2018 (7 years old), the Volkswagen Scirocco across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 8th lowest fail rate of 16 Volkswagen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 3,040 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 Scirocco ever sold: 60,234 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 3,040 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.