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Volkswagen reliability and common MOT problems by model

Volkswagen shows a 19.2% combined MOT failure rate across 3,744,146 tests in MOTIntel data. Polo Match Tsi has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 5.0%. Lt deserves extra checking at 29.8%.

Statistics are built from DVSA MOT tests carried out in calendar year 2023, plus official recall records and MOT fault wording data. Report index generated 2026-05-09.

Volkswagen combined failure rate: 19.2% — all-model average is 18.7%. Ranked #29 of 48 makes by failure rate (1 = lowest). Raw rates reflect each make's fleet age mix — newer fleets naturally fail less.

Which Volkswagen models look strongest?

Polo Match Tsi (5.0%), Golf Match Edition Tsi Evo (6.0%), Golf Match Edition Tsi Evo S A (6.1%), T Roc (6.4%), Golf Life Tsi (6.8%)

Which Volkswagen models need extra caution?

Lt (29.8%), Fox (28.5%), Beetle (27.0%), Bora (26.3%), Lupo (26.0%)

Most reliable Volkswagen models in MOT data

#ModelMOT failure rateTestsVehicles
1 Volkswagen Polo Match Tsi 5.0% 7,782 tests 7,215 vehicles
2 Volkswagen Golf Match Edition Tsi Evo 6.0% 9,030 tests 7,831 vehicles
3 Volkswagen Golf Match Edition Tsi Evo S A 6.1% 5,158 tests 4,542 vehicles
4 Volkswagen T Roc 6.4% 54,018 tests 48,256 vehicles
5 Volkswagen Golf Life Tsi 6.8% 5,896 tests 5,336 vehicles

Volkswagen models with the highest MOT failure rates

#ModelMOT failure rateTestsVehicles
1 Volkswagen Lt 29.8% 10,357 tests 7,325 vehicles
2 Volkswagen Fox 28.5% 38,598 tests 27,365 vehicles
3 Volkswagen Beetle 27.0% 63,580 tests 46,587 vehicles
4 Volkswagen Bora 26.3% 8,662 tests 6,425 vehicles
5 Volkswagen Lupo 26.0% 8,834 tests 6,588 vehicles

Common Volkswagen MOT problem areas

#Problem areaMOT notesModels affectedWhat to checkHigh-rate examples
1 Corrosion and structure 716,798 MOT notes 34 models Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs. Volkswagen Lt, Volkswagen Bora, Volkswagen Lupo
2 Suspension and steering 588,741 MOT notes 34 models Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced. Volkswagen Lt, Volkswagen Fox, Volkswagen Crafter
3 Lights and electrical 448,016 MOT notes 34 models Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying. Volkswagen Bora, Volkswagen Fox, Volkswagen Lt
4 Emissions, engine, and exhaust 340,028 MOT notes 33 models Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs. Volkswagen Lt, Volkswagen Lupo, Volkswagen Bora
5 Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors 291,120 MOT notes 34 models Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear. Volkswagen Lt, Volkswagen Crafter, Volkswagen Fox
6 Tyres and wheels 79,098 MOT notes 34 models Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear. Volkswagen Tiguan Match Tsi Evo S A, Volkswagen Tiguan Match Tsi Evo, Volkswagen Arteon

All Volkswagen model reports

Model MOT tests Vehicles Failure rate
Golf 1,064,714 852,811 18.6%
Polo 766,786 583,947 21.6%
Transporter 366,122 279,404 22.1%
Passat 248,006 191,463 20.2%
Tiguan 211,909 174,796 14.0%
Caddy 183,438 141,499 20.4%
Up 135,870 115,780 11.9%
Touran 98,919 74,849 22.0%
Crafter 68,620 52,355 22.1%
Beetle 63,580 46,587 27.0%
Scirocco 60,481 46,428 20.4%
T Roc 54,018 48,256 6.4%
Sharan 44,119 31,361 17.2%
Touareg 42,941 34,397 17.4%
Fox 38,598 27,365 28.5%
Amarok 25,085 20,715 15.3%
Caravelle 23,145 17,455 24.3%
Jetta 19,669 14,691 23.3%
Eos 17,718 13,251 23.8%
Cc 17,600 13,755 18.4%
T Cross 14,731 13,146 7.8%
Lt 10,357 7,325 29.8%
California 9,654 8,127 13.5%
Golf Match Edition Tsi Evo 9,030 7,831 6.0%
Lupo 8,834 6,588 26.0%
Bora 8,662 6,425 26.3%
Tiguan Match Tsi Evo 8,325 7,320 7.5%
Polo Match Tsi 7,782 7,215 5.0%
E Golf 7,310 6,226 10.3%
Tiguan Match Tsi Evo S A 7,305 6,379 7.5%
Arteon 6,624 5,701 10.3%
Golf Life Tsi 5,896 5,336 6.8%
Golf Match Edition Tsi Evo S A 5,158 4,542 6.1%
Transporter T28 Startline Tdi 5,064 4,217 15.3%
Crafter Cr35 Trendline Tdi limited data 4,958 4,041 16.1%
Transporter T28 Highline Tdi limited data 4,489 3,899 10.4%
Tiguan Match Tdi limited data 3,825 3,274 9.7%
Unclassified limited data 3,584 2,800 20.5%
Tiguan R Line Tech Tdi limited data 3,375 2,867 10.7%
Polo Match Evo limited data 3,146 2,898 6.6%
Golf Style Tsi limited data 3,111 2,874 6.0%
Crafter Cr35 Startline Tdi limited data 2,800 2,263 17.4%
Tiguan R Line Tech Tdi S A limited data 2,557 2,152 10.4%
Tiguan R Line Tech Tdi 4m Sa limited data 2,518 2,158 9.7%
Camper limited data 2,292 1,704 25.0%
Golf Match Edition Tdi limited data 2,284 1,979 7.8%
Tiguan Match Tdi S A limited data 2,249 1,952 7.0%
Transporter T32 H Line Tdi S A limited data 2,144 1,871 9.9%
Id3 Life limited data 2,054 1,596 6.2%
Golf Life Etsi S A limited data 2,017 1,889 5.1%
Transporter T30 Highline Tdi limited data 1,966 1,699 11.6%
Motor Caravan limited data 1,955 1,507 22.9%
Id3 1st Edition limited data 1,945 1,777 6.6%
Polo Match Tsi S A limited data 1,922 1,791 5.0%
Passat Sel Tdi S A limited data 1,848 1,536 10.0%
Tiguan Match Tdi 4motion S A limited data 1,795 1,510 9.1%
Transporter T30 H Line Tdi S A limited data 1,695 1,497 8.8%
Transporter T30 Startline Tdi limited data 1,648 1,353 15.8%
Golf Match Edition Tsi limited data 1,630 1,447 7.3%
Golf Style Etsi S A limited data 1,573 1,467 5.9%
Id4 Life limited data 1,567 941 2.8%
Corrado limited data 1,550 1,269 19.6%
Tiguan R Line Tsi S A limited data 1,544 1,436 7.6%
Golf R Line Tsi limited data 1,409 1,302 7.3%
Transporter T32 Se Tdi Bmt S A limited data 1,276 1,011 12.6%
Phaeton limited data 1,196 952 18.1%
Golf R Line Etsi S A limited data 1,092 1,001 7.5%
Transporter T32 Highline Tdi limited data 1,048 902 9.9%
Touareg V6 Black Edition Tdi A limited data 1,012 920 6.9%
Golf Gti Tsi S A limited data 1,002 917 7.1%

Models with limited data (fewer than 20,000 tests or 10,000 vehicles) have full reports but are not indexed in search engines until the evidence threshold is met.