Volkswagen Amarok MOT pass rate and common problems
84.1% of 39,248 Volkswagen Amarok MOT tests pass.
The Amarok passes its MOT 84.1% of the time — well above the average across all Volkswagen models, which sits at 79.0%.
The Volkswagen Amarok has a pass rate of 84.1%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Volkswagen Amarok?
This is the average across every Volkswagen Amarok in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Volkswagen’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 89.7% at 3–6 years to 77.4% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (17) | 17 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 89.7% | 11,605 | 64,087 miles |
| 6–10 years | 83.8% | 18,813 | 94,827 miles |
| 10–15 years | 77.4% | 8,813 | 124,893 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volkswagen Amarok
The most common reason the Volkswagen Amarok fails its MOT is brakes — present in 56.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Efficiency below requirements".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 56.8% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 42.5% | Not working |
| Suspension | 26.5% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Tyres | 13.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.8% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 11.0% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Steering | 7.4% | Insecure to the extent there is excessive movement at the mountings |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.0% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 3.3% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.9% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Volkswagen Amarok: what to check
These checks follow the Volkswagen Amarok’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Volkswagen Amarok comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 83.8% to 77.4%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 95.6% down to 90.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Brakes
Recorded in 56.8% of failed Volkswagen Amarok MOTs. 16.5% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 7.0% at 3–6 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 42.5% of failed Volkswagen Amarok MOTs. 15.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 3.6% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 26.5% of failed Volkswagen Amarok MOTs. 9.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension, against 1.5% at 3–6 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 13.3% of failed Volkswagen Amarok MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 11.8% of failed Volkswagen Amarok MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Volkswagen service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Volkswagen models
- Volkswagen Touareg — 83.5% pass rate
- Volkswagen Beetle — 65.8% pass rate
- Volkswagen Sharan — 81.3% pass rate
- Volkswagen Fox — 60.6% pass rate
- Volkswagen T-Cross — 91.7% pass rate
- Volkswagen Caravelle — 71.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Amarok?
- 84.1% of Volkswagen Amarok MOT tests pass, based on 39,248 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volkswagen Amarok?
- The most common reason the Volkswagen Amarok fails its MOT is brakes — present in 56.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Efficiency below requirements".
- What are the common problems with the Volkswagen Amarok?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volkswagen Amarok are brakes; lights and electrics; suspension. 16.5% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 7.0% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Volkswagen Amarok?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: brakes; lights and electrics; suspension; tyres; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Volkswagen Amarok's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Volkswagen service history guide for how to check and keep one.