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Volkswagen T-Cross reliability by build year

Coverage 2019-present1 named generationSUVDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Volkswagen T-Cross built around 2021: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen T-Cross models built around 2021 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Volkswagen T-Cross by number plate

Key figure

10% of MOT tests on Volkswagen T-Cross models built around 2021 ended in a fail (retests included), against 11% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen T-Cross models built around 2021 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volkswagen T-Cross'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.

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.

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Steering track rods

Worth checking

On a flat surface, rock the steering wheel briefly with the engine off and listen for clunks.

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 T-Cross's generation

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

T-Cross Mk1 (C1)

Mk1 (C1) (2019-present)

Average
DIESELPETROL

12.6% fail rate, built around 2020 (5 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 8 MOTs, 12.8%)

From 8,855 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 T-Cross.

See every build year for the Volkswagen T-Cross

By age

Volkswagen T-Cross fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volkswagen T-Cross 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
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,9887.5%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
9,7529.7%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
8,85512.6%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
4,05614.8%

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 6 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 4-year-old Volkswagen T-Cross models

These issues come from 4-year-old Volkswagen T-Cross models, 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

    Brake pads wearing thin

    13.6%
    Advisory: 1,485Fail: 257 (15% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.6%
    Advisory: 1,853Fail: 134 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    12.2%
    Advisory: 1,737Fail: 85 (5% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    11.4%
    Advisory: 1,457Fail: 36 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    Track rod end dust cover damaged, but still keeps dirt out

    3.3%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 9,752 MOT tests on 4-year-old Volkswagen T-Cross models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 4-year-old Volkswagen T-Cross models 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. Brakes + Tyres55%
  2. Suspension + Tyres15%
  3. Other + Tyres15%
  4. Brakes + Other14%

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

Across 1,643 MOT tests on Volkswagen T-Cross cars built around 2021 (4 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 T-Cross.

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 T-Cross recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 1 more

Top concerns

  • Curtain airbag units may have been fitted with the gas generator welded to the outlet pipe which is not fail proof
  • A software fault in the instrument cluster control unit

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

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Lexus UX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    1.8%

    Lower fail rate: 6.0%, against 9.7% for the Volkswagen T-Cross, both built around 2021.

    4,973 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  2. 2

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.5%
    Dangerous
    1.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 5.1%, against 9.7% for the Volkswagen T-Cross, both built around 2021.

    1,784 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  3. 3

    Toyota Yaris Cross

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.6%
    Dangerous
    1.2%

    Lower fail rate: 7.0%, against 9.7% for the Volkswagen T-Cross, both built around 2021.

    1,425 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  4. 4

    Suzuki Vitara

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.5%
    Dangerous
    2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.9%

    Lower fail rate: 7.5%, against 9.7% for the Volkswagen T-Cross, both built around 2021.

    6,708 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

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 2021 (4 years old), the Volkswagen T-Cross across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 9,752 4-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volkswagen T-Cross ever sold: 31,651 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2021 (4 years old): 9,752 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.